U.S. Supreme Court Allows Sale of 15% Ethanol Fuel Blends

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that permits the sale of gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol.

Several auto industry groups, food and restaurant associations and the American Petroleum Institute had petitioned the high court to block E15. They claimed the fuel could harm older cars, drive up food prices and hurt the American economy.

But the Supreme Court agreed with the lower court ruling that the plaintiffs failed to prove E15 would harm them. The fuel has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency only for use in cars and light trucks built after the 2000 model year.

Only about 20 service stations sell E15. The AAA has estimated that roughly 12 million vehicles currently on the road have been cleared by their manufacturers to burn E15. Carmakers approve the use of E10 gasoline, which contains 10% ethanol and has been widely marketed nationwide for several years.