California is taking a significant step to help drivers cope with soaring gasoline prices by advancing legislation aimed at making a more affordable fuel option widely available. The state Assembly passed Assembly Bill 2046, known as the “Access to Affordable Gas Act,” with a unanimous 59-0 vote. This bill would ease restrictions on E85 conversion kits, which allow conventional gasoline vehicles to run on E85—a fuel blend made up of up to 85% ethanol and the remainder gasoline.
The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, a Democrat from Stockton, who emphasized that Californians face some of the highest gas prices in the nation. The measure is part of the state’s response to recent price surges linked to global oil market disruptions caused by the Iran-Israel conflict. With gas prices in California climbing above $6 per gallon, the bill aims to provide commuters and working families with a practical way to reduce fuel costs.
If signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, the bill would exempt manufacturers of E85 conversion kits from the state’s California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval process. Currently, these kits must be certified by CARB to ensure they do not increase vehicle emissions. However, the bill retains federal certification requirements overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The kits cost between $800 and $1,250 and enable vehicles to run on both gasoline and E85.
E85 fuel is mostly made from ethanol derived from Midwest corn and is generally priced $2 or more below regular gasoline during price spikes. This ethanol blend is less affected by international oil market fluctuations, making it a more stable and cheaper alternative for drivers. However, while E85 costs less at the pump, it delivers 20% to 30% fewer miles per gallon compared to regular gasoline. Therefore, drivers save money only when E85 prices are significantly lower than gasoline.
Currently, about 1.3 million vehicles in California can use E85 fuel, but it is available at only about 640 stations statewide—just 3% of all fueling stations. Advocates of the bill believe that easing regulations will encourage more fueling stations to offer E85 and increase consumer demand. Ransom pointed out that while E85 might not be suitable for every driver, expanding access ensures more people have an affordable choice.
Environmental assessments rate E85 as cleaner than traditional gasoline under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Yet some experts caution that these benefits may be overstated because increased corn production for ethanol can lead to land use changes that generate additional emissions. Since 2008, only five companies have applied for CARB certification for conversion kits, and none have passed due to strict regulatory standards.
Supporters argue that CARB’s lengthy and complex approval process hinders wider adoption of E85 technology. Critics warn that loosening these standards could risk increasing emissions if not carefully managed. As California weighs this legislation, it faces a balance between reducing fuel costs for consumers and maintaining environmental protections amid ongoing debates over regulatory authority between state and federal agencies.
This legislative effort highlights California’s search for practical solutions amid volatile gas prices and ongoing concerns about climate change and energy security. If enacted, Assembly Bill 2046 could make E85 a more accessible alternative fuel option for many drivers across the state.
