Handbook for Handling, Storing, and Dispensing E85

This document serves as a guide for blenders, distributors, sellers, and users of E85 as an alternative motor fuel. It provides basic information on the proper and safe use of E85 and offers supporting technical and policy references.

E85 is an alternative motor fuel authorized by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992, Section 301(2). As defined by EPAct, E85 is composed of 85% fuel grade ethanol and 15% hydrocarbons in the gasoline boiling range. Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced fuel that can be made from grains, such as corn or wheat, or from biomass or cellulose sources, such as prairie grass and agricultural, forestry, or municipal waste matter. Several research studies show that E85 has the potential to substantially reduce petroleum fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions(GHGs).