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Ethylene-responsive elements (EREs), such as the GCC box, are critical for ethylene-regulated transcription in plants. Our previous work identified a 19-bp AC-rich element (ACE) in the promoter of bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>) <i>metal response element-binding transcription factor 1</i> (<i>PvMTF-1</i>). Ethylene response factor 15 (PvERF15) directly binds ACE to enhance <i>PvMTF-1</i> expression. As a novel ERF-binding element, ACE exhibits a significant difference from the GCC box. Here, we demonstrated that ACE serves as an ERE in <i>Arabidopsis</i>. It conferred the minimal promoter to respond to the ethylene stress and inhibition of ethylene. Moreover, the <i>cis</i>-acting element ACE could specifically bind the nuclear proteins in vitro. We further revealed that the first 9-bp sequence of ACE (ACE_core) is importantly required by the binding of nuclear proteins. In addition, <i>PvERF15</i> and <i>PvMTF-1</i> were strongly induced by ethylene in bean seedlings. Since PvERF15 activates <i>PvMTF-1</i> via ACE, ACE is involved in ethylene-induced <i>PvMTF-1</i> expression. Taken together, our findings provide genetic and biochemical evidence for a new ERE.