BALTIMORE —The High’s convenience-store chain is adding E15 and E85 to its offering in partnership with Protec Fuel.
The chain, owned by Carroll Independent Fuel Co., announced it has added E15—branded as 88 octane—and E85 to its Jessup, Md., location. The retailer described the move as a “first step” and said it plans to add E15 and E85 to more locations. High’s worked with Protec Fuel, Boca Raton, Fla., which assists retailers in adding biofuels to their forecourt.
“After discussing the potential and the rapidly increasing demand from our customers with Protec Fuel, this was a simple decision,” said Ben Phelps, vice president of business development for High’s, which has 48 c-stores in Maryland. “We are continuously listening to feedback from our customers. Our goal is to grow and efficiently meet our customers’ wants.”
Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are the only type of vehicles that can fuel up with E85; about 10% of vehicles on the road in Maryland are FFVs, according to High’s. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved E15 for use in model-year 2001 vehicles and newer. The EPA is currently accepting comments on its proposed rulemaking for waiving summertime Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements on E15. Currently in most markets, E15 is available for sale from June 1 to Sept. 15 only to FFVs because of the RVP restrictions.
Baltimore-based High’s ranked No. 25 in CSP's2019 Fuels 50 ranking of the most effective fuel brands. The chain is No. 144 in CSP's2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of retail outlets.
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