These days filling up at the pump can hurt your wallet.
Now it's just a matter of time before you have another, cheaper option available.
It's called E-15. It's similar to plus-grade, which has 10-percent ethanol in the gas.
The EPA just approved it this week for model 2001 newer vehicles.
Experts predict it would be 17-cents a gallon cheaper than unleaded gas--that's based on current pricing.
Todd Sneller is Administrator for the Nebraska Ethanol Board. He says, "E-15 is basically like gasoline, except that it burns cleaner, it gives it a higher octane, and it will reduce the cost."
It's much different than E-85, which can only be used in flex fuel cars and is an 85% ethanol blend. Sneller says the Environmental Protection Agency has studied the new blend for the last three years and given it the green light.
He says, "This has involved rigorous testing of many makes and models, many many hours and years of testing on dynamo-meters in different test laboratories to make sure the fuel would work well in modern automobiles."
Sneller says it's sheer coincidence the EPA approved it when unleaded gas is near four dollars a gallon and it people filling up say they would welcome another option.
Will Delgado of Lincoln tells 10/11, "I think everyone now is a little price conscious when it comes to gas, especially with it getting close to four dollars, couple summers ago it was in the $5 range in a couple states, you gotta think about the cost."
Celia Newman adds, "I would probably use it if it worked in the car and it was cheaper, it would definitely help the bank."
Chris Tran of Omaha says, "I would take it, if it gave me the same fuel efficiency."
Gas mileage is one concern of people using ethanol blended gas.. some people say they prefer to pay more to get better mileage.
Sneller says, "The largest amount of mileage loss that might occur would be the equivalent of driving with your windows down in your car or driving on under inflated tires, so it's really not a noticeable difference."
In order for you to see E-15 gas at the pump Sneller says there's one hurdle, it needs a slot. At most gas stations you only find three slots.
He says there is a program in Nebraska that's working to get five slots into gas stations.
They hope to get the E-15 ball rolling this year.
Sneller adds they haven't heard any complaints from people so far about the E-15 gas, but they do anticipate some opposition from petroleum companies.
