Last year was another record for E15 sales in Iowa at 178 million gallons, a whopping 47 percent increase from 2022. In addition, a record 68 million gallons of biodiesel was blended into Iowa diesel for 2023, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue 2023 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says for the first time, E15 sales accounted for more than 10 percent of Iowa gasoline sales in 2023, hitting 13.3 percent according to the report. “A nearly 50 percent increase in E15 sales in one year is remarkable. We expect to keep setting records as Iowa Governor Kim Reynold’s E15 Access Standard legislation is fully implemented in 2026. When given a choice, Iowa consumers have shown they want E15 at the pump.”

For only the second time, the report found that sales of on-road B11 and higher biodiesel blends eclipsed 60 percent of the market. The average percentage of biodiesel in on-road blended gallons hit a record 14.4 percent. In off-road diesel, usually used in farm and construction equipment, the report found a 5-fold increase in B20 and higher blends.

“Setting a record blend level in 2023 sends a strong message about the staying power of biodiesel,” said Shaw. “IRFA members have worked hard to expand biodiesel use in off-road markets, so seeing progress there was very encouraging. Overall, 2023 was a great year for biofuel use in Iowa and we’re not taking our foot off the accelerator pedal.”