The Environmental Protection Agency along with the Department of Transportation have announced proposed amendments to the current fuel economy and emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2021-2026. American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings is encouraged by the proposals. He says while they’re proposing less stringent standards, they are also exploring the role higher octane fuel could have in improving those standards.

He says this could provide a pathway for higher blends of ethanol as they maintain fuel economy in smaller engines and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Jennings says the premium high octane fuel on the market now is petroleum, however it’s costlier than is ethanol. He says ethanol has several advantages and is also a high octane fuel.

Jennings says some might argue that EPA’s proposal to flatline the standards will lead to increased gasoline use and tailpipe pollution, but not if the final rule paves the way for E25-E30 high octane fuel in future engines.