Experts warn drivers about cheaper E15 gas despite savings

Añadido: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]If you see some relief at the gas pump, experts warn you should pause before you choose which grade of fuel to buy. Now, this month, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver, giving drivers a cheaper option, E15 gas. W's Copeland Welch joining us now. In Copeland, generally E15 gas can't be sold during the summer months because it doesn't meet the vapor pressure requirements.

[00:00:31]Sue, that's right. And while E15 gas may save you a few pennies at the pump, local auto shops say it can be a double-edged sword. 87, 89, 93, you've likely made this choice during a routine fillup. But now there's another option that may start showing up more often.

[00:00:49]E15. It's gas blended with 15% ethanol.

[00:00:54]East Hill Automotive says a higher ethanol percentage can be cheaper, but you may end up paying more in repairs in the long run.

[00:01:01]>> With ethanol, it will cause deterioration, especially on some of these older cars like this Firebird, if they have any rubber fuel lines. Um, anything from the mid80s that have a neoprene fuel line, it will cause corrosion from the inside out, and it will cause those fuel lines to burst.

[00:01:17]Vehicles built after 2001 are often designed to handle ethanol, though you may see reduced fuel economy with higher percentages.

[00:01:25]>> Anything older, I would say if you have something that's an older vehicle that's 90s or anything older, again like this Firebird, you really should steer away from any kind of ethanol related products and go with a non-ethanol fuel.

[00:01:37]>> And if you have a small engine like a lawn mower or if you have a boat, the risk is heightened.

[00:01:44]>> We see them boats come in. This is the problems that we see when they come in, you know, water in the gas, uh, problems with their carburetors, problem with their injectors. Um, when they start going to non-ethanol, the gas lasts a little bit longer and it's better for the engine.

[00:02:03]>> The jar on the right, gas, ethanol, and water. The jar on the left, that same mixture after sitting unused in a gas tank through the winter. Jimbo Greening says during that time the ethanol in the gas eats filters, rubber seals, and that can lead to costly repairs.

[00:02:21]>> And I can understand, but it in the long run it really bites them because the carburetors gets messed up, the injectors gets messed up.

[00:02:32]>> The EPA says that emergency waiver that's in place allowing E15 gas to be sold nationwide will last for the next week. The agency will monitor the fuel supply situation and if that waiver needs to be extended, they'll do so.

[00:02:45]Reporting in Escambia County, I'm Copeland Welch, WER News.