Ethanol For Fuel

Among all of the innovation and thinking going into producing alternative fuel sources for the motor vehicles on our roads, there have been so many possibilities raised that we have, at times, been somewhat paralyzed by choice. There is certainly a body of criticism which holds that the alternative fuel movement would be considerably further ahead by now if it had simply picked a method and stuck with it. This ignores the fact that the people in charge of developing mass-produced solutions are often the automobile companies themselves, and that these companies have different ideas, different ways of working and different requirements to satisfy. But if we look to a country such as Brazil – like America, a country of huge landmass, varied terrain and a massive population – their greener transport plan is much further forward. This is because a vast majority of the cars on Brazilian roads run on ethanol-based fuel.

The truth about ethanol is sometimes hard to define, as there is such a wide variation in how it is used. In California, for example, it is already used in much of the gasoline distributed state-wide, in concentrations of around 10% and lower. However, flex-fuel vehicles which use a notably higher concentration of ethanol are widely available, and for many people are a way of driving greener while noticing no particular performance issues. It must be pointed out that there is a fuel efficiency question – flex fuel does give less miles to the gallon – but has advantages in terms of environmental impact and, arguably more importantly for the purposes of talking around someone who is skeptical about environmental vehicles, continued performance of the vehicle’s engine.

The drawback, such as it is, is that due to ethanol containing less energy than gasoline there is a shortfall of about 20% miles to the gallon for the average flex-fuel vehicle. In this respect it might be said that ethanol is not an ideal driving partner for someone with a high mileage commitment as, over the life of a car, it begins to add up. There is a conundrum in place here. 85% concentration ethanol fuel, commonly known as E85, is likely to come down in price, but it is arguable at the present time whether that fall will ever be enough to offset the need to refuel more often. Additionally, as soon as ethanol prices fall far enough, there will be a move from oil companies to reduce their prices – which will not benefit the environment.

Is it possible that E85 will be the answer to the continuing vexed question of how to wean America and the world off their obsessive use of fossil fuels? A look at Brazil would suggest that it could – ethanol fuel is in use there, both in 100% concentration and in flex form, and the country is growing into a potential economic powerhouse. But in a country where the economy is already tied up in the use of fossil fuels the solution is much less straightforward. E85 can be considered, but it is in a very competitive alternative fuels field, and time will tell if it has the staying power to emerge ahead.

By: Levi Quinn

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