The country has mandated introduction of flexible fuel or flexfuel vehicles that can operate on any blend of gasoline and ethanol ranging from pure gasoline to pure hydrous ethanol. Today, nearly all new vehicles sold in Brazil are flexfuel capable, making it a leader in alternative fuel technologies.

Ethanol Fuel Production and Infrastructure

Brazil began ethanol fuel production in the 1970s during the oil crisis to reduce dependence on imported gasoline. The country benefited from its abundant sugarcane crops which became the feedstock for ethanol production. Over the decades, Brazil has expanded ethanol fuel production massively with today’s annual production exceeding 30 billion liters. This production is supported by over 3,000 ethanol fueled gas stations across the country ensuring nationwide availability of E100 (pure ethanol) and all gasoline-ethanol blends. The well established infrastructure allows Brazilians to freely choose fuels based on prices.

Adoption of Flexfuel Technology:

To harness this successful ethanol fuel production and infrastructure, Brazil mandated introduction of flexfuel vehicles from 2003 capable of running on any gasoline-ethanol blend. Vehicle manufacturers rapidly adopted flexfuel technology which allows engines to detect the fuel blend being used and optimize itself. Today over 90% of new cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and commercial vehicles sold in Brazil are flexfuel capable without any premium cost to customers. This helped Brazil become the global leader in the production and sale of flexfuel vehicles.

‣ Brazil Flexfuel Cars: A Pioneer in Alternative Fuel Technologies: https://www.coherentmi.com/blog/brazil-flexfuel-cars-a-pioneer-in-alternative-fuel-technologies-93