Indiana

POPULATION (2015): 6,619,680

REGISTERED CARS & LIGHT TRUCKS: 5,780,865

ANNUAL GAS CONSUMPTION (2014): 3 Billion GPY

TOTAL RETAIL STATIONS: 2,597

Maximum E85 use:470 Million GPY
FFVs in use:555,448
E85 stations:212
Flex Station implied demand:+121
Maximum E15 use:2.4 Billion GPY
EPA approved E15 vehicles:4,624,692
E15 Station implied demand:+2,078

Fuel specifications

Gasoline:

Lake and Porter counties require Northern-grade RFG.

Reid Vapor Pressure:

7.8 psi gasoline is required in Clark and Floyd counties from May 1-September 15. Other counties in the state, except for Lake and Porter, sell 9.0 psi RVP gasoline on a retail level from May 1-September 15.

Contact information for key state regulatory agencies

Department of Health (Division of Weights, Measures, and Metrology), 317-356-7078 ext. 224

State Laws & Incentives

E85 Fuel Use Incentive

A political subdivision that purchases E85 for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) may be entitled to a monthly incentive payment of $33.33 for each FFV owned by the political subdivision for fewer than five years. The political subdivision is eligible if 75% of its motor vehicle fuel purchases were E85 in the previous month. A political subdivision is defined as a municipal corporation or special taxing district. This incentive expires January 1, 2019. (Reference Indiana Code 6-6-1.1-103, 8-14-2-8, and 36-1-2-13)

Ethanol Blend Infrastructure Grants

The Indiana Office of Energy Development and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council administer the Hoosier Homegrown Fuels Blender Pump Program (HHF Program). The HHF Program provides grants to increase public fueling infrastructure availability for higher blends of ethanol. Funds are available to eligible applicants for 70% to 79% of the purchase price of E15 to E85 blender pumps and related hardware. Qualifying dispensers must be available for public use and must dispense higher ethanol blends for a minimum period of five years. For more information about the application process, see the HHF Programwebsite.

Immunity for Misuse of E85

E85 sellers, suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, and refiners are immune from civil liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from a person fueling any vehicle with E85 that is not a flexible fuel vehicle. This includes any vehicle equipped to operate when fueled entirely with E85. This immunity does not apply if an E85 seller, supplier, distributor, manufacturer, or refiner does not display all E85 warning signs that federal or state laws require. (Reference Indiana Code 34-30-24)

E85 Definition

E85 is a fuel blend nominally consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline by volume that meets ASTM specification D5798. (Reference Indiana Code 6-6-1.1-103)

Biofuels Blend Use Requirement 

Whenever possible, governmental entities and state educational institutions must fuel diesel vehicles with biodiesel blends containing at least 2% biodiesel (B2), gasoline vehicles with mid-level ethanol blends between 20% and 73%, and flexible fuel vehicles with E85. This requirement does not apply if such blends are prohibited under federal regulations or have not been approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Additional exemptions apply. (Reference Indiana Code 5-22-5-8, 6-3.1-27-2, and 21-31-9-3)

Federal Incentives

Ethanol Infrastructure Grants and Loan Guarantees
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants and loan guarantees to rural (population less than 50K) small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Eligible renewable energy systems include equipment used to distribute flexible fuels. The maximum grant funding is 25% of project costs and the maximum loan guarantee is $25 million. The program is funded through fiscal year 2018 but is subject to congressional appropriations thereafter. For more information, see the REAP website.

Point of Contact
Office of Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Phone: (202) 690-4730
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/

Ethanol plant direct E85/ethanol sales

Click here for a complete list of domestic ethanol producers and sales contacts for E85/direct ethanol sales

E15/Flex Fuel Profit Estimate
line
Indiana
AVG STATION (97,500 GPM)
Average Retailer:
New gallons/$$/Mo E15 & Flex: 18,000 $3,000
New Customers/Mo:+2,000 
Additional Merch. Margin from above:$5,800
RINs not applied to reduce price:$870
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TOTAL NEW PROFIT/MO  $9,670
Top Performing Retailer:
New gallons/$$/Mo E15 & Flex:42,700$7,100
New Customers/Mo:+4,744 
Additional Merch. Margin from above:$13,900
RINs not applied to reduce price:$2,400
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TOTAL NEW PROFIT/MO  $23,400

Want to see what E15/Flex fuels could do for your operation?

Try out the E15/Flex fuel profit Estimator
A Roadmap for Ethanol cover

a roadmap for ethanol

You’re thinking about adding or switching to a new fuel grade on your product slate, and you’ve considered premium and diesel, because those are the fuels all station owners consider. But today, the market is different, and you’re curious about what E15, E85, and other flex fuels could do for your business. Good move.

Download the Full Guide