September 10th, 2025

Since E85’s introduction to California nearly 20 years ago, consumers have saved more than $1 billion at the fuel pump by choosing E85 instead of unleaded gasoline.

Today, with about 600 retail stations distributing E85 throughout the state, more Californians than ever are able to fill their flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) with E85 – often for $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon less than unleaded gas. 

“At a time when affordability is a key concern for policymakers in Sacramento, E85 has a proven track record of significant growth and expanding availability,” said Doug Vind, managing member of Pearson Fuels, California’s largest E85 provider. “It is especially impactful in helping offset the rising costs of living faced by California’s most financially vulnerable.

“We are proud of the continuing growth of E85 stations up and down the state,” Vind said. “E85 offers consumers an incredible value proposition: a low-carbon, renewable, domestically produced liquid fuel selling at 35% less than gasoline.” 

Vind says E85 is a viable and readily available gasoline alternative at a time when California crude oil refiners are shutting down or leaving the state.

California’s FFV population totals more than 1 million. General Motors is producing new model FFVs in its popular Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista. 

“We are excited to see GM once again offering FFVs that are both affordable and desirable, including a fully loaded Chevy Trax, which has a dealer sticker price around $27,000,” Vind said. “Pairing the cost savings of E85 with a reasonably priced FFV is a winning strategy for consumer affordability.”