Using data from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Minnesota Department of commerce said the volume sold in November 2014 was also higher than October last year which totaled 1.28 million gallons.

On a cumulative basis, total sales of E85 in 2014 as at end-November was 12.42 million gallons, 3.6 percent higher than the same period in 2013.

On annualized basis, E85 sales in 2014 would have been 13.54 million gallons, up 4 percent from the 13.05 million gallons recorded in 2013.

It's important to note that E85 sales grew in 2014 despite fewer stations offering the fuel. In November 2013, there were 349 stations selling E85. In November 2014, it was down to 282 stations.

The average price of E85 in November last year was $2.28 a gallon, which represented a 58 cent discount to regular 87-octane unleaded gasoline.

Meanwhile, E15 sales surged that month as seven more stations in the state began offering the fuel. The Department of Commerce said E15 sales in November 2014 totaled 47,361 gallons, nearly twice the amount sold in October 2014. In fact, the amount of E15 sold in November last year was more than the total volume of E15 sold in 2013 (42,648 gallons).