October 6th, 2026

California gasoline prices have again soared above $6 per gallon, putting more financial pressure on commuters and everyday drivers. Consumers are also faced with inflated prices of food and everyday items driven in large part by diesel prices over $8 per gallon. 

This comes as the California State Senate failed to move AB 2046 by Asm. Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy) to the Governor’s desk. AB 2046 was an overwhelmingly supported measure that would have brought immediate relief at the pump to working Californians.

The bill would have allowed California drivers to install federally certified E85 conversion systems in compatible vehicles. It passed the assembly 72-0 and advanced through both senate policy committees without receiving a single “No” vote or opposition from stakeholder groups.

For California drivers facing the highest gasoline prices in the country, the bill’s failure represents a lost opportunity.

A practical response to high gas prices

AB 2046 would not have required anyone to convert a vehicle or use E85. Drivers with compatible vehicles could have voluntarily installed an EPA-certified conversion system. They could then use E85, gasoline or any blend of the two. EPA-approved conversion systems are legal in all 49 other US states. Similar conversion technology is also widely used in countries such as France.

E85 is consistently priced much lower than regular gasoline across California; in some areas of the state, E85 is available for half the cost of regular gasoline. Drivers using E85 have collectively saved tens of millions of dollars in 2026 alone as gasoline prices have risen above $6 per gallon. For the average driver, switching to E85 would save thousands per year and reduce their emissions.  

More than 650 stations already offer E85 statewide. Much of the infrastructure needed to support additional drivers is already in place. AB 2046 offered a way to expand access and save money without requiring drivers to purchase a new vehicle.

California’s approval process remains a barrier

Under current law, conversion systems must receive approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) before they can be used in the state. Although multiple manufacturers have pursued certification, CARB has not yet approved a single E85 conversion system.

AB 2046 would have recognized EPA-certified systems without requiring separate state certification or additional testing. In other words: if the bill were enacted, the state would be tasked with doing less than they do today to align with a transparent regulatory process that has served the rest of the country well for over a decade. Nonetheless, CARB put forward a fiscal estimate that AB 2046 would require approximately four permanent positions and more than $800,000 annually. This unjustified cost claim was used as a rationale for the Senate Appropriations Committee to hold the bill, leaving customers without access to this cost-saving technology for at least another year. 

California drivers are left with fewer choices

AB 2046 offered a straightforward way to give Californians access to a more affordable, low-carbon gasoline substitute that is already available across the state.

Instead, California’s existing approval process remains in place. Drivers who own factory-built flex fuel vehicles with the same technology can continue using E85.

California drivers need immediate relief from volatile gas prices. With AB 2046 no longer moving forward, few options remain available to lower household fuel budgets.

Pearson Fuels will continue working to expand access to E85 and support policies that give California drivers more choices at the pump.