More Iowa consumers are choosing biodiesel at the pump according to a new report from the Iowa Department of Revenue. The report finds that the average biodiesel blend purchased in the state reached 11 percent, an increase from 9.4 percent average blend in 2014. The data showed that Iowans also purchased a record amount of E85 and mid-level ethanol blends in 2015, 13.1 million gallons, a 8.3 percent increase over 2014. In addition, motorists also purchased 8.7 million gallons of mid-level ethanol blends, ranging from E15 to E69, a 121 percent increase over 2014.

Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

“Despite the lack of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets and the federal biodiesel blenders’ tax credit last year, biodiesel use took a step forward in 2015 increasing the average biodiesel blend purchased in the state to B11,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “This shows the importance and effectiveness of forward-thinking state-level policies that encourage the use of locally-produced, cleaner-burning biodiesel.”

While fuel purchases mid-level and higher blends of ethanol continue to grow, E10 sales have remained steady. “While still making up a small portion of overall gasoline sales, we saw aggressive growth in E15 and mid-level ethanol blend sales in 2015,” added Shaw. “And despite historically low gasoline prices for a portion of the year, Iowans purchased a record amount of E85. There’s certainly more room to grow, but meaningful growth in higher ethanol blend sales is a win for the state’s economy and environment, as well as Iowans’ pocketbooks.”

The data comes from the 2015 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report. Iowa Department of Revenue reported that it received filings representing 93.2 percent of fuel locations in the state.