Growth in E15 Sales in Iowa Breaks Previous State Record By 43%

The Iowa Department of Revenue recently released the 2021 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report. The report highlighted all-time record E15 sales in Iowa in 2021, totaling nearly 87 million gallons. This broke the previous record by 43.4 percent.  Additionally, Iowa fuel retailers sold a record amount of E100 through higher blends at the pump in 2021. Combined sales of E15, E85 and mid-level ethanol blended fuel in 2021 added up to 28.4 million gallons, a 26 percent increase over previous records.  

“The growth in demand and use of E15 in Iowa is exciting, especially as we are working on the Biofuels Access Bill to expand the availability of E15 across the state,” said Lance Lillibridge, a farmer from Vinton and president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “Drivers are looking for more affordable fuel, and E15 and higher blends were not only the answer in 2021 but continue to be the solution for savings at the pump today.”  

The report also showed that of the 1,645 Iowa retail locations, 95 percent reported selling at least one type of ethanol blend. Of those 1,571 stations offering ethanol blended fuels, 304 sold E15 and 286 reported selling E85.  

The Iowa Corn Growers Association continues to advocate for the Biofuels Access Bill as a top priority. The bill will increase consumer choice at the pump by making E15 an option at many fuel stations across Iowa, with an increase in funding for the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program to $10 million per year for retailers.  

Read the full report at: https://tax.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/2021%20Retailers%20Fuel%20Gallons%20Annual%20Report.pdf  

For More Information:

Shannon Textor, Director of Communications, stextor@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242

Related Articles

News & UpdatesNews
Iowa Corn Growers Furious with New Development on E15
January 22, 2026
Iowa Corn Growers Furious with New Development on E15

The House is expected to advance a funding bill today that omits language that would allow consumers across the country to access fuels with a 15% corn ethanol blend, often referred to as E15.  In response to this development, Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa, Mark Mueller released the following statement:   “Iowa’s corn growers are frustrated and disappointed that after spending...

News & UpdatesNews
New Economic Analysis Shows Solutions to Maintain Iowa’s Corn and Ethanol Industry
January 21, 2026
New Economic Analysis Shows Solutions to Maintain Iowa’s Corn and Ethanol Industry

Without immediate passage of nationwide, year-round E15 and access to ultra-low carbon ethanol markets, such as sustainable aviation fuel and marine fuel, Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry will continue its downward decline, according to a new study released by Iowa Corn and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.  Iowa’s corn farmers continue to lead the nation in corn production, and Iowa has long held the title...