Gas prices hit yet another record high

[BumRushDaShow]

22. He didn't stop the summer blend switch

which is something that varies from region to region and state to state, and is due to the vapor pressure of the gasoline that gets impacted by the temps, and thus there are different additives that are included in the gasoline mixes for summer vs winter.

I think people were confusing the "E15" (octane/ethanol) waiver for summer use with the "summer blend" change. "E15" is only available at a couple thousand gas stations nationwide.

Summer Gas: What’s Different in 2022?
By GasBuddy | April 29, 2022

(snip)


What is the difference between summer and winter blend gasoline?

In the warmer months, gasoline has a greater chance of evaporating from your car’s fuel system. This can produce additional smog and increased emissions. Refiners reduce the chance of gas evaporation in your car during the summer by producing gasoline blends that have lower Reid vapor pressure (RVP), or lower volatility. These blends vary from state-to-state, region-to-region due to RVP state regulations. They also vary by octane level.

In winter, gasoline blends have a higher Reid vapor pressure, meaning they evaporate more easily and allow gasoline to ignite more easily to start your car in cold temperatures. This blend is cheaper to produce, which results in lower gas prices at the pumps from late September through late April.



Cost for your wallet: According to NACS, higher-grade summer blend fuel can add up to 15 cents per gallon to the cost of your fill-up. This excludes the increased cost due to summer fuel demand, which can vary between 5-15c/gal, depending on the region. More stringent requirements (like California) can mean an even higher cost. Prices typically fall 10-30c/gal starting in mid/ late September through late November as gas stations switch to winter gasoline and demand for gasoline falls seasonally as we start to stay closer to home.

What’s different about E15/Unleaded 88 gas this summer?

You may have heard it on the news a few weeks ago. This year, President Biden has announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will issue an emergency waiver permitting year-round sales of E15 gasoline, which contains a 15% ethanol blend, to reduce the burden of rising fuel costs this summer. Commonly sold as Unleaded 88 at many gas stations around the U.S., this type of fuel is often able to be sold for cheaper than regular gasoline. So, while you will likely be able to purchase E15 this summer, and it sounds like a no-brainer to pay less, we recommend you consult your owner’s manuals before filling up on E15, especially to ensure you’re not doing something that could void your car’s warranty.

(snip)

https://www.gasbuddy.com/go/summer-gas-2022

I remember when my agency's fleet had some of the early "flex-fuel" cars that were designed with a preference for E15 and there was just a single gas station near orr office that had E15. Most other stations have octane grades/percentages of either 87 or 89 + 91 + 93 vs E15 which is "88".

This article explains it a little better I guess -

Why is it normal for gas prices to go up in the spring?
A switch to summer blend gasoline usually drives fuel costs up.

Author: Pauline Smith (KHOU)
Published: 5:36 AM CDT May 10, 2022
Updated: 6:10 AM CDT May 10, 2022


HOUSTON — Why is it normal for gas prices to go up at this time of year? It may not bring much comfort for Texas drivers paying nearly $4 a gallon for regular gas but a spring surge is a normal occurrence. The real problem this year is prices were already high when the surge started. A year ago the average prices for a gallon of gas in Texas was $2.66.

Every spring, oil refiners switch over to a summer blend of gasoline. In the summer, gas has a greater chance of evaporating from the car’s fuel system, producing more smog. Rules require fuel terminals to start selling only the summer blend by May 1, and gas stations have until June 1 to make the full transition. Since the summer blend is more expensive to produce, the price is passed on to drivers.

There is one difference this summer – E15 gasoline. The EPA is issuing a waiver allowing the higher blend of ethanol fuel to be sold during the warm weather months. Usually sold as unleaded 88 at the pump, E15 is cheaper than regular gasoline. Though GasBuddy.com does tell drivers to check your owner’s manual before filling up with E15 to make sure it doesn’t void your warranty.


https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/oil-gas/gas-prices-surge-spring/285-f3a12857-dc10-49da-987b-bc189ba18f2c