Iowa blends record volume of biodiesel in 2023

Photo: Jenna Higgins Rose, the Iowa Biodiesel Board

The Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Annual Report, just released by the Iowa Department of Revenue, found a record 68 million gallons of biodiesel was blended into Iowa diesel for 2023.

For only the second time, the report found that sales of on-road B11 and higher biodiesel blends eclipsed 60 percent of the market.

The average percentage of biodiesel in on-road blended gallons hit a record 14.4 percent.

In off-road diesel, usually used in farm and construction equipment, the report found a five-fold increase in B20 and higher blends.

“Setting a record blend level in 2023 sends a strong message about the staying power of biodiesel,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

“IRFA members have worked hard to expand biodiesel use in off-road markets, so seeing progress there was very encouraging,” he said.

“Overall, 2023 was a great year for biofuel use in Iowa and we’re not taking our foot off the accelerator pedal," Shaw added.

The report also found E15 sales increased 47 percent year-on-year to a record 178 million gallons.

For the first time, E15 sales accounted for more than 10 percent of Iowa gasoline sales in 2023, hitting 13.3 percent according to the report.

Today, one in four Iowa fuel stations offers E15.

“Increased access coupled with its low price led more Iowans than ever to choose E15 at Iowa fuel stations in 2023,” Shaw said.

“A nearly 50 percent increase in E15 sales in one year is remarkable,” he continued.

“We expect to keep setting records as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynold’s E15 Access Standard legislation is fully implemented in 2026. When given a choice, Iowa consumers have shown they want E15 at the pump,” Shaw said.

The Iowa Department of Revenue identified retailers for the report using information from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s motor-fuel license database and from internal records.

The full 2023 report can be found here.