May 26th, 2026

California has built a national reputation around clean transportation policy. A lot of that reputation is deserved. But when it comes to E85 conversion technology, the state has stood still while drivers continue paying some of the highest fuel prices in the country.

Conversion kits are not new technology. They have existed for years and are already common in markets where ethanol plays a larger role in the fuel supply. In other countries and in all 49 other states, drivers are able to switch between gasoline and ethanol blends depending on price.

The concept itself is straightforward: approved conversion technology allows a compatible gasoline-powered vehicle to operate on E85, gasoline, or a blend of the two. Federal law already allows these systems, yet California remains the only state without a defined legal pathway for drivers to use them.

That stands out because E85 is already widely available across California. More than 600 stations currently offer the fuel statewide, including many by Pearson Fuels. It has also consistently remained below the price of regular unleaded, often by roughly $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon.

For the approximately 1.1 million Californians who already drive flex fuel vehicles, those savings are available today. For everyone else, fuel choice still depends largely on whatever vehicle is already sitting in the driveway.

What’s the plan?

AB 2046, authored by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, seeks to establish a legal pathway for approved E85 conversion technology in California. It would give drivers a lower-cost and cleaner fuel option without requiring the purchase of a new vehicle.

The bill advanced out of its first committee earlier this session with a unanimous 16–0 vote. During the Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing on May 14, lawmakers again focused heavily on affordability, and the bill continued to move forward. Supporters frame the bill as a practical way to expand fuel choice for drivers already struggling with transportation costs across the state.

California’s long term transportation policy continues to center heavily on electric vehicles, and that is unlikely to change. At the same time, many drivers remain years away from being able to make that transition themselves. Vehicle costs, charging access, and long commute patterns remain real obstacles for many households.

In the meantime, E85 infrastructure is already operating across California. The stations exist. The fuel is being used every day. The debate surrounding AB 2046 now centers largely on whether the state is willing to expand access to a cheaper and cleaner fuel option.

Pearson Fuels has spent more than two decades helping to buildCalifornia’s E85 network. As fuel prices continue shaping household budgets across the state, affordability is likely to remain part of the broader transportation conversation for the foreseeable future.

Want a straightforward breakdown of what AB 2046 would actually do and where the bill currently stands? Read our plain-English guide to AB 2046 and what it could mean for California drivers.