Truck stop and travel center operators are always looking for ways to enhance profitability, and one promising solution is ethanol. Integrating ethanol blends, which are typically less expensive than gasoline, into fuel offerings can help operators attract customers, improve profits and maintain a competitive edge.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e not blending biodiesel, keep an open mind,鈥� said vice president of . 鈥淚鈥檝e had more members and more clients contacting me and asking me about ethanol blending.鈥�
Laidlaw introduced a panel discussion on the benefits of offering ethanol during . She was joined by , , and .
The keynote was generously sponsored by .
Accessing Ethanol Blends
There are several ways operators can access ethanol blends, including buying ethanol and gasoline at the rack and splash blending it or purchasing E-85, placing it in underground storage tanks and using blender pumps.
鈥淲e鈥檝e started seeing retailers take out mid-grade fuel and put in E-15 instead,鈥� Comer said. 鈥淭hey already had the tank space and got a cheaper price with the ethanol.鈥�
Having a cheaper price on the sign drives traffic. 鈥淚t allows you to put a pretty aggressive price on the street and draw those customers in,鈥� Wilkerson added.
Getting a Price Advantage
There are retail and producer incentives that help lower the price of ethanol. 鈥淭here are infrastructure grants at the federal and state level and there are state tax incentives available that tie into the E-15 standards,鈥� Falco explained.
Five states have retail tax credits, and more are considering it, Falco said. Some states also have enacted infrastructure standards. In Iowa, a law will take effect in 2026 that requires retailers with more than one dispenser to sell E-15 at half of its dispensers. 鈥淭here are exceptions for low-volume sites. There is also a waiver if your UST was installed prior to 1985,鈥� Falco said.
Qualifying for RIN Credits
Operators who become the blender on record can take advantage of incentives through the Renewable Fuel Standard. By qualifying for Renewable Identification Number credits, they can monetize these credits and incorporate the savings into their fuel pricing.
鈥淚t seems like a lot of work, but it is worth it,鈥� Laidlaw said. The Alternative Fuels Council can help operators register under the U.S. EPA鈥檚 Renewable Fuel Standard to qualify for RIN credits and provides guidance on registering with the IRS to get a blender鈥檚 license.
Lowering Emissions
In addition to the financial benefits ethanol can provide, it lowers the carbon intensity of fuel, which supports sustainability initiatives.
Currently, four states have clean fuel standards, and three other states are looking at implementing their own standards, Falco said.
Getting Started with Ethanol Blending
If operators are considering adding ethanol, Falco recommended they first determine if their current equipment is compatible or if you need to purchase new equipment. Then, figure out the supply.
Laidlaw also advises operators to identify which renewable fuels are available in their area, either from their terminal or current supplier. Once they have that information, they can assess the blending economics to determine whether offering ethanol is viable. To simplify this process, the Alternative Fuels Council provides a cost comparison calculator, available at .
To learn more about how the Alternative Fuels Council can assist with ethanol blending, visit .
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