March 3rd, 2026

Gasoline in California routinely tops $5.00 per gallon. In fact, the state hasn’t seen gasoline average below $4.00 per gallon for a month since early 2021.

Legislation from California Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom could bring needed relief to the state’s drivers.

AB 2046: Access to Affordable Gas

At a Pearson Fuels station in Tracy earlier this month, Asm. Ransom launched Assembly Bill 2046, the Access to Affordable Gas Act. 

The California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA) is the bill’s sponsor. CFCA joined Asm. Ransom, alongside members of Pearson Fuels, to voice support for expanding consumer choice at the pump.

While drivers in Tracy were saving real money on E85 that morning, Asm. Ransom drew attention to regulations that prevent millions more Californians from doing the same. 

What’s holding California back? 

California is the only state in the country that does not allow drivers to legally install E85 conversion kits on their vehicles.

Under current California law, any device that modifies a vehicle’s original design must receive California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval before it can be sold or installed. CARB has never approved an E85 flex fuel conversion kit, effectively blocking California drivers from accessing the cleaner, more affordable fuel.

AB 2046 would change that by exempting EPA-approved E85 conversion kits from the CARB requirement. 

The kits allow a vehicle to operate on conventional gasoline, E85, or any blend of the two. Once installed, drivers can choose whichever fuel they prefer without further modifications.

Savings and accessibility

The Tracy event made the math easy to see. E85 is consistently priced $1.50 to $2.00 less per gallon than gasoline, offering meaningful savings for flex fuel drivers.

Pearson Fuels, California’s leading E85 distributor, now supports over 450 E85 locations across the state and added 69 new stations in 2025 alone. As the network grows, so does the opportunity for drivers to take advantage of E85’s lower cost per mile.

For Californians who already own a flex fuel vehicle, the savings are available right now. Drivers can check compatibility and find the nearest E85 station using the Pearson Fuels App. The app lets users compare E85 prices, locate stations fast, and stay on top of limited time promotions.

What’s next for AB 2046

AB 2046 is awaiting an Assembly committee hearing in March. CFCA has designated the bill as a top priority for its 2026 Day at the Capitol (DATC) on May 6 in Sacramento, where fuel industry members will advocate directly with legislators for expanded fuel choice and affordability.

As Pearson Fuels noted in the days following the sale: “Last week in Tracy, drivers fueled up for just $1.85/gal, and that’s exactly why AB 2046 matters.”

More options. More savings. More access.