Using data from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Department of Commerce reported that the volume of E85 sold in the first eight months of the year totaled 8.55 million gallons, up 11.7 percent from 7.65 million gallons recorded during the same period in 2013.

One station in August sold 28,789 gallons of E85, the highest recorded so far this year. The average station volume in August was 5,588 gallons while the average price of E85 during that month was $2.64, which was 70 cents lower than the average price of 87-octane unleaded gasoline.

Sales of other ethanol-blended fuels continued to grow in August.

E15 and E30 sales amounted to 22,088 gallons and 32,200 gallons respectively during the month. Both volumes represent new all-time highs for E15 and E30.

Total E15 sales for the first eight months of the year was 116,573 gallons while E30 sales during the same period was 176,152 gallons. For compartive purposes, total E15 sales in 2013 was 42,648 gallons.

To download a copy of the Department of Commerce's report, click here