The Challenge of Ethanol in Brazil

Published on June 7, 2013 20:18 by Kiran Pereira

"While a debate continues about the future of biofuels, Brazil is currently facing an important decision for its own future. Ethanol from sugar cane emerged in the years 2000 as a potential alternative to fossil fuels and possibly a game-changer for Brazil's national economy. The production of flex-fuel vehicles able to run on a blend of ethanol and gasoline increased considerably in the same years. But the situation as it stands today is not sustainable, due to low production: Brazil is not capable of exporting ethanol, and flex-fuel vehicles now predominantly run on gasoline without a drop of ethanol in the fuel."