The ten percent blend wall for ethanol is officially no more in the majority of the United States.

According to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 35 states and the District of Columbia used more than 10 percent ethanol in transportation fuel in 2021. Minnesota and Iowa led the way with ethanol accounting for 12.6% and 11.6%, respectively, of statewide gasoline consumption. California, Texas, and 12 other states had an average ethanol blend rate near 10.7%. The national average ethanol blend rate reached a record 10.32% in 2021, according to the data.

“The state-level data released by EIA today should finally put to rest any lingering myths and misinformation about the fictitious ethanol blend wall,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “American drivers in all 50 states clearly want more fuel options, and lower-cost, lower-carbon ethanol proved itself once again in 2021. As leaders in the marketing of E15 and E85, it’s no surprise that Minnesota and Iowa came out on top in 2021. Those states are showing the rest of the nation what is possible when you take proactive steps to provide more consumer options at the pump.”

Cooper expects that when 2022 nationwide data ethanol consumption data is finalized in February, it will show even further growth in ethanol’s share of America’s gas tanks. Last November, EIA released an analysis of high blend rates in the summer months that noted the U.S. ethanol blend rate hit a record summer average of 10.5% in 2022 and averaged 10.6% in June and August.