US considers lifting ban on high percentage ethanol gasoline to lower oil prices

      According to people familiar with the matter, the US government is considering temporarily lifting the ban on summer sales of high-percentage ethanol gasoline to help lower fuel costs for US consumers.

　　As the Russian-Ukrainian war triggered turmoil in the global energy market, U.S. gasoline prices continued to rise, hitting a record high in early March.

　　The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was unable to comment on whether the move was being considered, but said it was "considering a range of options across government to help mitigate the impact on American consumers".

　　The move would be welcomed by the ethanol industry, which has been working to increase sales of E15 blends and lift restrictions on their summer sales. e15 contains up to 15 per cent ethanol, compared with 10 per cent in most US gasoline.

　　E15 gasoline was previously available for sale and use for only eight months of the year (except June to September) because of the expansion problems associated with ethanol gasoline, the increased volatility of ethanol due to high summer temperatures, which can cause gas blockage in vehicle fuel lines, and the high risk of corrosion in fuel lines at concentrations above 15% overall fuel economy.