U.S. Gasoline Requirements

The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) of gasoline sold at retail during the summer ozone season between June 1 and September 15. The CAA sets the federal RVP standard at 9.0 pounds per square inch (psi) in ozone attainment areas. A lower RVP limit of 7.8 psi applies for areas in ozone nonattainment. Gasoline is subject to a lower RVP limit in areas designated as summer RFG or in states receiving a waiver to adopt a program (via a state implementation plan (SIP)) more stringent than federal requirements. The CAA allows for a 1 psi waiver for gasoline, subject to the 9.0 psi or 7.8 psi limit, containing 10 percent denatured anhydrous ethanol. Specialized fuel formulations are considered “boutique fuels” that are unique to a particular market, usually by virtue of federal, state or local laws, and that cannot be obtained from other markets in the same regional distribution system. Boutique fuels can contribute to tight supplies and price volatility, particularly when there is a supply disruption or stress. The reliability of supply is important to our business and a rigid system of state-specific boutique fuels reduces that reliability.

View map of U.S. summer gasoline requirements below.

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Summer 2024 U.S. Gasoline RVP Requirements

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Summer 2025 U.S. Gasoline RVP Requirements

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