The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted a partial waiver to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline for 2007 model year vehicles or newer.

A decision on the use of E15 in model year 2001 to 2006 vehicles will be made after EPA receives the results of additional DOE testing, which is expected to be completed in November. However, no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in model year 2000 and older cars and light trucks – or in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines – because currently there is not testing data to support such a waiver. Since 1979, up to 10 percent ethanol or E10 has been used for all conventional cars and light trucks, and non-road vehicles.

EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Gina McCarthy announced the agency’s decision in a telephone conference call with reporters. That press conference is on-going and will be posted when complete.

Read EPA release on the decision here.

*POST UPDATE – EPA PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO*
EPA Ruling on E15