--- title: "The Government Is Still Messing With Fuel Formulas to Try to Curb Gas Prices" date: "2026-08-21" modified: "2026-08-21" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-government-is-still-messing-with-fuel-formulas-to-try-to-curb-gas-prices" categories: - "News" --- # The Government Is Still Messing With Fuel Formulas to Try to Curb Gas Prices ![Photo of fuel pump in Virginia]() *\Al Drago/Getty Images\* During the summer, the U.S. government typically restricts the sale of fuel to a [particular blend]() that evaporates less to mitigate pollution. But the ongoing war in Iran has wreaked havoc on fuel prices all year, so the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have issued an emergency waiver that allows E10 gas with a higher evaporation rating to be sold starting September 1, two weeks earlier than it normally enters consumer supply. Throughout much of 2026, the EPA has allowed the sale of gasoline with up to 15% ethanol content, even during the hottest months when it isn't usually allowed. The rationale is that diluting fuel helps control prices at the pump. But increased ethanol content, as well as higher Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) values—that's a measure of evaporation, or volatility—exacerbates ground-level ozone in high temperatures, which poses cardiovascular and respiratory risks for humans. That's why this stuff is usually relegated to the fall and winter. As we've [explained before](), cutting gas with more ethanol can also cause problems for older vehicles that aren't designed to use it. Even cars that are will see a slight reduction in fuel economy when more ethanol enters the mix, because it's less energy-dense than pure gasoline. In its [bulletin](), the EPA said that it has waived "state level controls in Texas, Arizona, and California that extend beyond September 15, 2026, for the maximum period allowed of 20 days," and that it will continue to extend these waivers as it has done all year, as long as it deems necessary. The department also called out "blue-state politicians in New York and California" that "have not adopted these standards, driving up prices for their own residents." Of course, both states include the biggest cities in the country, with tens of millions of residents that feel the effects of worsened air quality far more acutely than those in comparatively rural areas. *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()