White Paper Establishes California's National Leadership in E85 Fuel Market

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - May 28, 2015) - Propel Fuels has published E85: A California Success Story, a white paper and associated website illustrating California's emergence as the national leader in the use of sustainable E85 Flex Fuel. Developed by the Propel Silicon Valley Workshop, the paper examines the productive role that low carbon E85 has had in enabling California to meet its carbon reduction and petroleum reduction targets, while improving air quality in the state's severe non-attainment communities.

"Thanks to smart public policy and a strong value proposition for consumers, California's E85 use has become a success story, and a road map for our nation for implementing low carbon fuels," said Rob Elam, CEO of Propel Fuels. "This research conclusively demonstrates that E85 is a successful, sustainable, cost-effective fuel that consumers are choosing when they have retail access."

E85, also known as Flex Fuel, is a high octane, low carbon, renewable fuel containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. California's 1 million Flex Fuel vehicles (FFV's) can use E85 interchangeably with conventional gasoline with no modification. Utilizing data collected by Propel's research team coupled with work done by the Air Resources Board (ARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC), the paper delivers unprecedented details into E85 market growth, consumer demographics, value perceptions, emissions reductions, and the future potential of this low carbon fuel. Details and the full white paper download are available at CaliforniaE85.com.

Key research findings include:

• California has the highest rate of E85 growth of any state in the nation. E85 use has expanded 600% in California since 2009, while gasoline demand has decreased.
• E85 use has significant positive impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and petroleum reductions; providing air quality benefits in severe non-attainment areas by contributing 18-67% reduction in NOx as well as a 32% reduction in GHG emissions.
• E85 use has specifically benefited CalEPA designated Disadvantaged Communities.
• E85 is California's value fuel, with 92% of users saying it is the same or better value than gasoline.
• California's 1 million Flex Fuel vehicles can displace 600 million gallons of petroleum gasoline with E85.
• California's retail E85 volume per location exceeds the national average by 300%.
• As a result of its policies, California is home to the lowest carbon ethanol in the country.

California, the world's 7^th largest economy and 3^rd largest petroleum market, is accelerating its implementation of carbon reduction and clean air regulations, including AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and Carbon Cap-and-Trade. In addition, Governor Jerry Brown has announced an Executive Order to reduce petroleum use in California 50% by 2030. Propel is committed to strong partnerships between public and private sector, developing and supporting progressive public policy that brings equitable, market-based solutions to realize the state's policy goals.

About Propel
Propel was founded in 2004 to bring better fuels to the retail market, offering Flex Fuel E85 and advanced diesel blends that deliver more power, produce less carbon, and cost less than petroleum. The company leads the retail fueling industry with innovations including CleanDrive, the nation's first integrated carbon emission reduction tracking platform. Find Propel at 43 Flex Fuel E85 and 36 advanced diesel locations across California and Washington State.

Apple iOS: itunes.apple.com/us/app/propel-station-locator-e85/id912207853?mt=8
Android: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.propelfuels.stnlctr
Web: propelfuels.com
Facebook: facebook.com/propelfuels
Twitter: @PropelFuels

Editors Note: More information and photography for download and use is available at CaliforniaE85.com/media.