Advanced BioFuels USA

Brazil Flex-Fuel Cars Helping Drive Green Future

by Laura Guedes and Vinicius Damazio (Argus Media) The transformation to a greener future for cars will require time and a steadfast policy commitment, but the sustained popularity of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) has already put Brazil some way down the road towards sustainability.

As it turns 20, the flex-fuel engine is at the center of a debate that divides the Brazilian automotive industry, as to which solution will drive the country’s transition to a cleaner mobility model.

Some automakers defend a transition model based on the ethanol hybrid as the appropriate solution for most drivers in the medium term, leaving fleet electrification for another moment.

Others claim that Brazil may be seen as a “late mover” on the electric vehicle (EV) market and risks losing strategic advantage if it does not get into gear soon.

For major European automaker Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares, the flex-fuel vehicle is the most cost-effective and affordable option for decarbonization in Brazil.

“The electric vehicle makes no sense compared to a car that can run on 100pc ethanol — not to mention that it is much more expensive for the middle class,” Tavares said during a roundtable discussion in February.

Stellantis is the fourth-largest automaker in the world and is the result of a 2021 merger between Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot Citroën.

Tavares believes 100pc ethanol should play a larger role in Brazil, on the belief that there is minimal difference in total carbon emissions between flex-fuel vehicles and electric vehicles, while flex fuel vehicles present a significant cost savings.

Still, Stellantis expects to have the technologies needed to develop hybrid ethanol-electric vehicles in Brazil by the end of 2023, erasing the barrier between electric and flex-fuel cars.

…

Government energy research agency EPE is more in line with the ethanol-friendly position that Stellantis advocates, arguing that the country should not jostle for first mover advantage.

“The ample availability of renewable fuels produced domestically, as well as the widespread flex-fuel technology, allows the country to wait for the development of the global industry [of electric cars] before committing to a route,” EPE says, adding that ample ethanol availability obviates the need to develop retail chains to support EVs.

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In fact, nationwide availability of ethanol established back in the late 1970s was a key element in the success of flex-fuel vehicles, which now account for 85pc of all cars on the road in Brazil, and 83pc of all new light vehicle sales in 2022, data from Brazil vehicle association Anfavea says.

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FFVs went on from selling just 48,178 units in 2003, or 3.6pc of total light vehicle demand, to 1.63mn vehicles last year. The domestic car industry also reached a milestone of having delivered 40mn flex-fuel vehicles as of February since 2003, according to Anfavea.

The flex-fuel motor should also attract more attention as a solution to decarbonizing other major emerging economies.

“India and countries in southeast Asia expressed great interest in the flex technology,” Anfavea says. “They are under pressure to decarbonize but are unable to quickly electrify the fleet.”

For Brazil, EPE expects internal combustion engines and flex-fuel motors to dominate vehicle sales for the next decade, with innovations like micro-hybrids and mini-hybrids representing just an incremental portion of total demand.

FFVs will account for almost 89pc of the Brazilian car fleet, according to the agency. READ MORE

A new IFPEN study confirms the essential role of bioethanol in reducing automotive CO2 emissions (Bioethanol Collective (Google Translation))

Renewable ethanol is EU’s most cost-effective solution for reducing car emissions, new research shows (ePURE)

A New IFPEN Study Confirms the Essential Role of Bioethanol in Reducing Automotive CO2 Emissions

(Bioethanol Collective (Google Translation)) As the final European negotiations begin on the rules concerning CO2 emissions from new cars until 2035, a study shows that plug-in hybrid vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 are as beneficial for the climate as 100% electric.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 are as beneficial for the climate as 100% electric according to an IFPEN study .

The study carried out by IFPEN’s Economics and Environmental Assessment Department measured and compared the greenhouse gas emissions of 3 types of compact cars (segment C): thermal vehicles running on fossil fuel, hybrids rechargeable using Superethanol-E85 and 100% electric cars, in life cycle analysis. This method takes into account all the greenhouse gas emissions due to vehicles and the battery (from manufacturing to recycling) as well as those from the energies used (from production to use). The study covered both the cases of the French and European electricity mixes (see the infographic below).

This comparison made for 2022 with projections for 2040 demonstrates that plug-in hybrid vehicles using Superethanol-E85 and covering 40% of the distances in electric mode are at least as beneficial for the climate as the corresponding 100% electric vehicles, with the electric mix French and a fortiori with the more carbon-intensive European mix.

These results are essential as the “trilogue” negotiations begin between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the CO2 regulation for light vehicles which will determine the types of new vehicles sold from 2035.

What is the status of the draft European Regulation on CO 2 emissions from light vehicles?

With the aim of reducing the climate impact of motoring, the European institutions are in the process of drawing up new regulations on CO 2 emissions from light vehicles. The initial project of the Commission and that of the European Parliament provide that all vehicles sold by 2035 should emit zero CO 2 at the exhaust. This measure favors only the electric vehicle. While maintaining this objective of total decarbonization of new buildings by 2035, the project of the European Council, representing the Member States, leaves the door open to two alternative solutions : continue to use fuels provided that they are completely carbon neutral and authorize plug-in hybrid vehicles, the place of which could be redefined in 2026, depending on the progress of electric vehicles. These proposals will be discussed during the trialogue.

The Collective of Bioethanol and ePURE ask:

that the European institutions respect the commitment to produce a method for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions in life cycle analysis for light vehicles in 2023
that the openings towards carbon-neutral fuels and plug-in hybrids are effectively applied.

Why bioethanol is one of the sustainable solutions to decarbonize the car fleet:

A plug-in hybrid car that runs on Superethanol-E85 does at least as well as an electric car in aiming for carbon neutrality… if we analyze their emissions throughout their life cycle!

A study carried out by IFPEN shows that today and in 2040, “compact” plug-in hybrid vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 are as good for the climate as long-range 100% electric vehicles . And this, even with the very carbon-free French electricity mix, when we measure emissions in life cycle analysis, and a fortiori with the European mix which is less good.

A carbon-neutral Superethanol-E85 is feasible for plug-in hybrids.

Bioethanol produced in Europe achieves an average reduction of 77% in greenhouse gas emissions according to the report published by the European association ePURE for 2021. It improves each year to move towards carbon neutrality. In France, there is already bioethanol which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100% compared to fossil gasoline (Source DGEC, CarbuRe 2020 and 2021 ). In addition, Superethanol-E85, which contains 75% bioethanol on average, can be made 100% renewable by replacing the average 25% share of fossil gasoline with other renewable fuels (synthetic gasoline from renewable energies… ).

The plug-in hybrid running on Superethanol-E85 offers other advantages

The plug-in hybrid running on Superethanol-E85 combines additional advantages :

It is more practical when the charging stations are busy because it allows you to drive over long distances without recharging the battery, by refueling with Superethanol-E85.
Its battery being smaller, it consumes less mineral resources produced outside the European Union and energy for its manufacture.
It is less expensive than 100% electric, which is beneficial for state budgets and motorists, as shown by a recent study.

Superethanol-E85 could drive 5 million plug-in hybrids by 2040

Superethanol-E85 reached nearly 7% of the gasoline market in France in June/July 2022 (compared to 4% in 2021). Available at 34% of service stations, it has become a practical and economical alternative for French motorists. By using it in very fuel-efficient vehicles such as plug-in hybrids, we could run more than 5 million flex-E85 vehicles in 2040, i.e. 15% to 20% of the vehicle fleet , by consuming ethanol from only 1% French useful agricultural area net of associated food co-products.

Plug-in hybrids running on bioethanol are an effective solution for reducing the impact of vehicles on the climate and better meeting certain needs of motorists. The CO2 regulations for light vehicles must preserve their place.

Focus on the IFPEN study:

IFPEN has studied family vehicles (compact cars – segment C) used both for short daily journeys and longer journeys weekends and holidays. The study assumes that these plug-in hybrid vehicles operate 40% in electric mode and 60% with the internal combustion engine, as recommended by the European Commission. The battery being smaller, its initial carbon footprint is divided by four, which offsets most of the fuel emissions. The reduction in CO2eq emissions from ethanol compared to gasoline improves from 67% in 2022 to 90% in 2040. The carbon footprint of Superethanol-E85, which contains on average 75% bioethanol, decreases with the time, just like that of the battery and electricity with the French mix much better than the European one. The 25% fossil fuel share of E85 is half replaced by other renewable components in 2040. Thus, both solutions remainequivalent in 2040 . NB: to compare 2022 and 2040 over the same distance of 150,000 km, multiply the 2022 figure by 0.6

Infographics available on bioethanolcarburant.com

About the Bioethanol Collective

The Bioethanol Collective is represented by the Interprofessional Association of Beets and Sugar (AIBS) and the National Union of Agricultural Alcohol Producers (SNPAA). Its objective is to inform professionals and the general public about the bioethanol industry. Bioethanol is currently incorporated into gasoline in France, pure or in a derivative, up to 7.5% (including a maximum of 5% pure ethanol) in SP95 and SP98, up to 10% in SP95-E10 and up to 85% in Superethanol-E85. For more information: https://www.bioethanolcarburant.com/

About ePURE – European Renewable Ethanol

ePURE represents the interests of European renewable ethanol producers to European institutions, industry players, media, academia and the general public. Based in Brussels, ePURE speaks on behalf of 39 member companies and associations, with around 50 plants in the EU and UK, representing around 85% of EU renewable ethanol production. The organization, established in 2010, promotes the beneficial uses of ethanol across Europe. READ MORE

Etude des émissions de Gaz à Effet de Serre des véhicules Superéthanol-E85 en Analyse de Cycle de Vie (IFPEN)

Renewable ethanol is EU’s most cost-effective solution for reducing car emissions, new research shows (ePURE)

EVERY Day–a 5-Letter Word for EARTH MONTH. Advanced Biofuels USA Plays Wordle for EARTH MONTH

(Advanced Biofuels USA) EVERY day throughout EARTH MONTH (April) in 2023, Advanced Biofuels USA will highlight one or more 5-letter words that you MIGHT some day see as a Wordle answer, continuing the popular format we used to celebrate EARTH MONTH in 2022. We will provide information each day ABOUT how you can help to mitigate climate CHANGE by increasing your use of renewable FUELS for transportation, cooking, heating and industry!

WATCH the Advanced Biofuels USA home page, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIN for each day’s sustainability-related Wordle word suggestions ALONG with LINKS to more information ABOUT that day’s TOPIC.

Join in the fun! CLICK here to see the 2022 POSTS. And if you missed the 2021 EARTH MONTH featuring What You Can Do, click here.

To see a collection of the 2023 EARTH DAY POSTS, click here.

LEARN more: www.AdvancedBiofuelsUSA.org (QUOTE OF THE WEEK will return in May.)

Climate CHANGE— A 5-Letter Word for EARTH MONTH

EARTH MONTH is dedicated to understanding and mitigating the effects of Climate CHANGE. Renewable FUELS can be a part of

April 1, 2023 Read Full Article

Biden-Backed California Rule Pushes Clean Trucks

by Camille Von Kenel and Alex Guillen (Politico) Truck manufacturers will have to sell an increasing share of zero emissions