In short: There are about 4,804 public E85 stations in 44 states, the most in California, Minnesota and Iowa. E85 is only for flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs). Search the map below for stations near you.
Map and station data: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center Station Locator. Stations are listed by their owners and networks; check the network app before you drive.
What is E85 ethanol?
E85 (also called flex fuel) is a blend of gasoline with a high share of ethanol, between 51% and 83% depending on season and region. Ethanol is made mostly from corn in the United States. E85 can only be used in flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are built to run on gasoline, E85 or any mix of the two.
Ethanol holds less energy than gasoline, so an FFV usually gets noticeably fewer miles per gallon on E85. Whether it saves money depends on the price difference at the pump.
Who uses it
Drivers of flexible-fuel vehicles, common in many pickups, SUVs and sedans built over the past two decades, especially in the Midwest where most E85 is made and sold.
Where the stations are
The U.S. Department of Energy lists 4,804 public E85 ethanol stations open in 44 states (October 2026). The states with the most:
- California (640)
- Minnesota (381)
- Iowa (293)
- Illinois (288)
- Ohio (278)
- Wisconsin (260)
What E85 costs
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities and Communities Alternative Fuel Price Report for April 2026 (prices collected April 1–30, 2026) found a national average of $3.31 a gallon for E85, against $4.09 for gasoline: 79 cents cheaper per gallon. But a gallon of E85 holds less energy. Measured per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE), the same energy as a gallon of gasoline, E85 averaged $4.30, which is 21 cents more than gasoline.
| Region | E85 per gallon | Gasoline per gallon | E85 per GGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | $3.09 | $3.72 | $4.02 |
| Central Atlantic | $3.18 | $3.92 | $4.13 |
| Lower Atlantic | $3.58 | $3.95 | $4.65 |
| Gulf Coast | $3.38 | $3.74 | $4.39 |
| Rocky Mountain | $3.14 | $3.88 | $4.08 |
| West Coast | $3.49 | $5.69 | $4.54 |
| U.S. average | $3.31 | $4.09 | $4.30 |
In April 2026 the West Coast was the only region where E85 was cheaper than gasoline for the same energy, because gasoline there averaged $5.69. Prices move a lot: the national E85 average was $2.36 in January 2026 and rose 95 cents by April, while gasoline rose $1.20.
Our cost-per-mile example (an estimate, not a quote): the 2026 Chevrolet Trax FFV is rated by the EPA at 30 mpg on gasoline and 22 mpg on E85. At the April 2026 averages:
- U.S. average: gasoline about 13.6 cents a mile, E85 about 15.0 cents.
- Midwest: gasoline about 12.4 cents, E85 about 14.0 cents.
- West Coast: gasoline about 19.0 cents, E85 about 15.9 cents.
For this car, E85 pays off only when it is at least about 27% cheaper per gallon than gasoline. With gasoline at $4.09, that means E85 under about $3.00. Your own car’s ratio may differ, so check its two EPA ratings.
Flex-fuel vehicles you can buy in 2026
New flex-fuel choices have become few. FuelEconomy.gov, the official DOE and EPA site, lists these 2026 model-year flex-fuel vehicles so far, all from General Motors:
- Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista (30 mpg gasoline, 22 mpg E85)
- Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX, front-wheel drive (30 mpg gasoline, 22 mpg E85)
- Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 4WD flex-fuel versions (17 mpg gasoline, 12 mpg E85)
The DOE says recent changes to how flex-fuel vehicles count toward federal fuel economy credits have reduced the number of models. The good news: millions of used pickups, SUVs and sedans from the past two decades are already flex-fuel, and many owners don’t know it. FuelEconomy.gov lets you search flex-fuel models by year.
Conversions are rare. The EPA’s 2026 lists of certified conversion systems include only four gasoline-to-E85 systems, all for 2006 and 2007 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler and Dodge models. A conversion that is not certified for your exact vehicle is not covered by the EPA’s exemption from the Clean Air Act’s tampering rules.
Programs and incentives (2026)
Federal. On the DOE’s list of federal laws and incentives (read October 3, 2026) we found no tax credit for drivers who buy a flex-fuel vehicle or fill up with E85. What exists is aimed at stations and producers:
- The alternative fuel refueling property credit covered E85 pumps and storage placed in service from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026, according to the IRS.
- The clean fuel production credit goes to registered fuel producers for clean fuel produced and sold from 2025 through December 31, 2029 (IRS).
- The EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard requires refiners and importers to blend renewable fuels such as ethanol into the fuel supply.
For anything tax-related on your own return, ask a tax professional.
States. Most state programs pay stations, which helps keep E85 pumps open near you. From the DOE’s state laws and incentives pages:
- Iowa: the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program gives retailers cost-share grants of up to $75,000 per site (70% to 90% of costs) for ethanol equipment. From January 1, 2026, through July 1, 2030, projects must be E85-capable or at least E40.
- Minnesota: grants of up to $199,000 help small retailers (20 stations or fewer) upgrade equipment for blends of 15% ethanol and higher, with a 35% cost share.
- Missouri: retailers get a state tax credit of 5 cents per gallon on blends from E15 to E85.
- South Dakota: the Ethanol Infrastructure Incentive Fund can fund blender pumps and E85 equipment, and incentives toward flex-fuel vehicle purchases.
- Kansas: its retailer incentive for renewable fuels expired on January 1, 2026.
See our incentives guide for how energy credits work in general.
Supply and trends
- Record production. The U.S. made about 16.2 billion gallons of ethanol in 2024, the most in the DOE’s series going back to 2000, used about 14.2 billion, and exported the difference (EIA data, compiled by the DOE). About 94% of U.S. ethanol is made from corn.
- Plants. At the end of 2023 the country had 187 ethanol plants with capacity of about 18 billion gallons a year, most of them in the Midwest near the corn.
- More stations. The DOE counted 4,521 E85 stations (public and private) at the end of 2023, 4,721 at the end of 2024 and 5,100 at the end of 2025.
- Slowly fewer flex-fuel cars. About 20.2 million flex-fuel vehicles were registered in 2023, 19.9 million in 2024 and 19.6 million in 2025. Texas had the most in 2025 (about 2.2 million), then California (1.3 million), Florida (1.1 million) and Michigan (854,000).
More on fuels made from plants in our guide to biofuel energy.
Seasons, cold weather and handling
- The blend changes with the season. E85 can contain 51% to 83% ethanol. Winter blends carry less ethanol so the engine starts in the cold, and summer blends carry more. Stations get the right seasonal blend from the fuel terminal, so drivers don’t need to do anything.
- Mileage shifts with the blend. FuelEconomy.gov puts the drop at about 15% to 27% fewer miles per gallon than regular gasoline, depending on the ethanol content.
- Mixing is fine in a flex-fuel vehicle. An FFV runs on gasoline, E85 or any mix of the two, so you can switch from one fill to the next. Performance does not drop, and some FFVs make more torque and horsepower on E85.
- Only flex-fuel vehicles. E85 is not for regular cars, and that rules out mowers, boats and other small engines too.
More questions about E85 cost and cars
How much does E85 cost right now?
The most recent DOE price report, for April 2026, found a U.S. average of $3.31 a gallon, compared with $4.09 for gasoline. Regional averages ranged from $3.09 in the Midwest to $3.58 in the Lower Atlantic states. Prices at your local station can be quite different, so compare the pump price with gasoline before you fill.
Is E85 better than regular gasoline?
It is made mostly from U.S.-grown corn, has a higher octane rating, and some flex-fuel vehicles feel stronger on it. But it takes you about 15% to 27% fewer miles per gallon. In April 2026 it cost more per mile than gasoline in most regions; on the West Coast it cost less. For your wallet, cost per mile is what counts.
Can I convert my car to run on E85?
Usually not. The DOE calls flex-fuel conversions unusual, and the EPA’s 2026 lists of certified conversion systems include only four gasoline-to-E85 systems, all for 2006 and 2007 models. Before you buy any kit, make sure it is EPA-certified for your exact vehicle. Otherwise, the simplest path is a car that is already flex-fuel.
Before you go
- Check that your car is a flex-fuel vehicle: look for a yellow gas cap or yellow ring in the filler, an "FFV" or "Flex Fuel" badge, or your owner's manual. If it is not an FFV, do not use E85.
- Compare cost per mile, not per gallon: E85 is often cheaper per gallon but takes you fewer miles.
- Some stations also sell mid-level blends such as E15 for ordinary cars made in 2001 or later; E85 is different.
E85 ethanol station questions
Can I use E85 in a regular car?
No. Only flexible-fuel vehicles can use E85. In a regular gasoline car it can cause poor running and damage, and it may void your warranty.
How do I know if my car is a flex-fuel vehicle?
Look for a yellow gas cap or a yellow ring around the fuel filler, an FFV or Flex Fuel badge, or check your owner's manual. Fueleconomy.gov also lists flex-fuel models by year.
More station maps
Learn more: How biofuels work.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center, Station Locator (public, open stations, read October 3, 2026) and fuel pages.