An annual report from the Iowa Department of Revenue shows motorists purchased record levels of biodiesel and ethanol-blended fuels last year. The 2013 Retailers Motor Fuel Gallons Report shows sales of pure biodiesel, otherwise known as B100, set a new record of 28.9 million gallons. That’s up 24-percent compared to 2012.
Sales of B-10, a fuel blend containing 10 percent biodiesel, grew by 121 percent with 72.4 million gallons sold in 2013. The report also shows sales of various ethanol blends of gasoline, from E-15 to E-69, increased more than 158 percent in 2013, totaling more than 5.4 million gallons sold. Sales of E-85 hit an all-time high with more than 11.1 million gallons sold, an increase of 18 percent over 2012.
Iowa leads the nation in both biodiesel and ethanol production with 42 ethanol refineries and 12 biodiesel facilities.