With fuel prices still high above normal levels, there is one bright spot for those with flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). Recent public data shows E85 can be purchased at wholesale distribution points for as little as eight cents per gallon, with the highest price listed only one dollar.
FFVs are designed to run on any fuel blend from no ethanol up to E85, which contains up to 85 percent ethanol. Wholesale prices do not include federal and state taxes, transportation costs, and markups for things like credit card fees, depreciation and retailer margins.
“As a trade association, we never tell anyone how to price a product at any point in the supply chain,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “But the public data shows that E85 should be an amazing bargain for FFV owners right now. So, we do encourage all parts of the supply chain to pass along these savings to consumers.”
For 2026, all of the FFVs being offered are from General Motors. However, there are still thousands of FFVs on Iowa’s road manufactured over the last two decades. Reports have also indicated increased interest in FFV conversion kits.
“As fuel prices continue to impact household budgets, we hope consumers can benefit from lower-cost ethanol blends at the pump,” added Shaw. “E15 is a great option for nearly all vehicles. But those with FFVs might want to research which locations are passing along the E85 savings.”
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Associations (IRFA) E85 Wholesale Price Listing Program is available here. In Iowa, E85 is a fuel blend containing between 70 and 85 percent ethanol, depending on the season.
