The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has waived its earlier limitation on selling gasoline that contains more than 10 percent ethanol for model year 2001 through 2006 passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light pickup trucks.

The waiver applies to fuel that contains up to 15 percent ethanol - known as E15. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says recently completed testing by the Department of Energy shows E15 does not harm emissions control equipment in the vehicles.

The National Farmers Union says the decision means E15 will soon be available for approximately 60 percent of all vehicles in the U.S.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated an increase in the overall amount of renewable fuels - like ethanol - into the marketplace. Several trade groups claim that more research is need to determine how increased ethanol levels could affect vehicles.