Quebec ethanol content

[Mooseman]

Something to keep in mind if you ride in Quebec. I know that our 4 strokes are made to run on 10% ethanol so maybe 12% may not be so bad but for 2 strokes, this could kill them!

 

[thrasher]

Yes, we need to know the ethanol content of our fuels. Many of the stations I go tell me that their 91 octane gasolines have no ethanol in them. Unfortunately, some of the retailers of unbranded stations just don't seem to know. So, it's a buyer beware situation. Locally, it's generally easy to find this information, but on the trail in remote areas, some even unmanned fuel stops, you just don't know. Just another reason why I drive a 4-stroke sled.

 

[Mooseman]

Unfortunately, there is no ethanol free gas available anywhere in Canada anymore (Thanks Justin!), not even with 91 octane. And provinces are also moving towards 15%.

Mandatory ethanol content in Canadian gasoline is set by a combination of federal and provincial regulations. The overall requirement is not a fixed percentage at the pump but a target that fuel producers and importers must meet on an annual average.

Federal regulations
Canada's Clean Fuel Regulations, which replaced the previous Renewable Fuels Regulations in 2023, requires fuel suppliers to reduce the overall carbon intensity of fuels. While this does not set a specific volumetric percentage, ethanol is one of the main ways companies meet their reduction targets.

• Average renewable content: The previous regulations required an annual average of 5% renewable content in gasoline and 2% in diesel, which often resulted in a blend of E5 (5% ethanol).
• Fuel quality standards: Industry standards published by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) permit the sale of gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (E10) across the country.

Provincial mandates
Several provinces have their own mandates that require higher ethanol content than the federal standard. These provincial rules are a key driver for the levels found at gas stations.

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Province​

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Ethanol Mandate (2025)​

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Notes​

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[td]Ontario[/td][td]Increases to 11% renewable content in gasoline for 2025.[/td][td]This will reach 15% by 2030.[/td] [td]Manitoba[/td][td]At least 10% ethanol content in gasoline.[/td][td]Suppliers must also blend 5% renewable content into diesel.[/td] [td]Quebec[/td][td]Requires 10% low-carbon fuel content, increasing to 15% by 2030. (Which is currently at 12%)[/td][td]This is part of its clean fuel regulations.[/td] [td]Alberta[/td][td]Minimum annual average of 5% renewable alcohol in gasoline.[/td][td]This is set by the province's Renewable Fuels Standard.[/td] [td]Saskatchewan[/td][td]7.5% ethanol mandate.[/td][td]The province also requires 2% renewable diesel content.[/td] [td]British Columbia[/td][td]Mandates 5% ethanol content in gasoline.[/td][td]This is in addition to the province's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.[/td]

The future of ethanol mandates

• Increasing blend levels: Driven by federal and provincial climate policies, the Canadian Fuels Association expects the industry to move toward higher ethanol blends, with a market average of 15% (E15) anticipated by 2030.
• Credit market approach: The federal Clean Fuel Regulations use a credit market to allow flexibility for fuel suppliers. They can meet reduction targets by adding more ethanol or by investing in other low-carbon technologies.

So Quebec is not the only one, Ontario is at 11% heading towards 15%. This is garbage! I remember back when I had my old Safari 377 and it started puking pistons. Come to find out they started adding 10% to 87 at the time so had to switch to 91. So all the two strokes will have to rejet to prevent leaning out their sleds. Come to think about it, injected 4 strokes, without an O2 sensor, won't be able to compensate and may also lean out, especially if we get to 15%. I think we can adjust the mix in diagnostic mode.

 

[timmyz06]

Another goverment BS!!! Time to talk with TD!! I know Shell vpower doesnt have ethanol! Unless that changed!

 

[Mooseman]

Nope. It also has ethanol:

Shell 91 now contains Ethanol - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Beware. The days of non-filthy gas are over. With much sadness I noticed this new sticker at the Shell pump saying all gas contains up to 10% ethanol.

forums.redflagdeals.com

The last holdouts were Costco and Drummonds Gas. We're hooped

 

[MK4TDI]

Unfortunately, there is no ethanol free gas available anywhere in Canada anymore (Thanks Justin!), not even with 91 octane. And provinces are also moving towards 15%.



So Quebec is not the only one, Ontario is at 11% heading towards 15%. This is garbage! I remember back when I had my old Safari 377 and it started puking pistons. Come to find out they started adding 10% to 87 at the time so had to switch to 91. So all the two strokes will have to rejet to prevent leaning out their sleds. Come to think about it, injected 4 strokes, without an O2 sensor, won't be able to compensate and may also lean out, especially if we get to 15%. I think we can adjust the mix in diagnostic mode.

Our Coop Refinery in Regina is ethanol free for the premium fuel only, basically covers all of Saskatchewan and parts of South Eastern Alberta. It was cheaper for the refinery to buy carbon credits than it was to put ethanol in the premium.

Not only that but 90% of the bulk fuel hauled to farm is premium now because the ethanol fuel does not store well long term.

The ethanol shouldn't hurt stock stoke 4 stroke sleds, but on the tuned ones it might catch up and cause some issues if the fuel system is close to 100% duty.

 

[hydraulic yam]

Buy Premium from a busy station , treat it with stabilizer so the ethanol doesn't separate
and still use it up in a few months is about as much as we can do . One sled company a few years back
suggested for summer storage to take out all fuel left in it , Fill with prem stabilized fuel and
remove that fuel before using the sled and put new stabilized fuel in again.
I have used up "old" fuel a couple gallons at a time when going to fill up your most tolerant
vehicle .. I usually use up in lawn tractor.
Canadian Native reserves often had zero ethanol fuels in all grades as they were not
forced to have it .. 100 ethanol is usually added to the delivery trucks when they
are loaded as it will eat the almn tanks.
Ron

 

[Mooseman]

Unfortunately, no reserves around here. I sometimes go to North Bay. I'll ask my son to find out if they have ethanol in their fuel and if not, I'll bring a bunch of gas cans next time I go.

 

[Skiduty]

Unfortunately, there is no ethanol free gas available anywhere in Canada anymore (Thanks Justin!), not even with 91 octane. And provinces are also moving towards 15%.



So Quebec is not the only one, Ontario is at 11% heading towards 15%. This is garbage! I remember back when I had my old Safari 377 and it started puking pistons. Come to find out they started adding 10% to 87 at the time so had to switch to 91. So all the two strokes will have to rejet to prevent leaning out their sleds. Come to think about it, injected 4 strokes, without an O2 sensor, won't be able to compensate and may also lean out, especially if we get to 15%. I think we can adjust the mix in diagnostic mode.

How long has this been the case? I tested the supreme gas at local Ultramar and Esso stations maybe 2 years ago and neither ciontaimed any ethanol