Summer in South Dakota is here and if there’s one thing we like to do, it’s to plan and take epic road trips with friends and family across the state or even across the country. This is a trend that has become increasingly popular across the country according to AAA, who notes that 97 percent of recent summer trips were by car which is up from an average of 87 percent over the past five years. But as escalating prices on nearly everything continue to squeeze our budgets, the question is how can we plan travel without cutting back on the fun?
The good news is that it may be easier than you think. E15 gas, which is also labelled as Unleaded 88 (UNL88) at the pump, actually saved drivers 16 cents per gallon on average last summer. Approved for vehicles manufactured after 2000 which accounts for 96 percent of the vehicles on the road today, E15 helps take the sting out of the prices at the pump and keeps it in your pocket for the fun stuff like amusement parks, concerts and other amazing experiences.
On top of being more cost effective, the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council has launched an E15 Fueling Summer Fun Free Gas Giveaway with three lucky winners being chosen in June, July and August. Winners will receive a $500 gas giftcard to be used towards E15 gas. Register to win!
Important to note, not every gas station carries E15 gas/UNL88 so it’s a good idea to not only budget for your gas but also to plan for your fuel stops along the way. A great resource to find stations that carry E15 gas is https://e85prices.com/.
What is E15 gas and why is it called UNL88?
- E15 gas is a high-quality blend of fuel that is actually 15% home-grown American ethanol blended with 85% gasoline.
- E15 gas has an octane rating of 88 which is why it is frequently labelled as UNL88 at the pump.
- E15 gas is safe to use in cars, SUVs, pickups, vans or other light-duty vehicles manufactured after 2000.
- E15 gas was legally approved by the EPA in 2011 and was first sold in Kansas in 2012.
