Why Do Brazilian Cars 'Drink' Alcohol?
2 Answers
The reason Brazilian cars 'drink' alcohol is to address Brazil's energy shortage; utilizing the country's abundant sugarcane production as a favorable condition to manufacture alcohol from sugarcane as raw material; vigorously developing alcohol-powered vehicles. Below are specific details about Brazilian automobiles: Overview: As one of the 'BRIC' countries, Brazil is an important economic power in South America, with the automotive industry being a crucial economic pillar, contributing 20% of Brazil's industrial output. The Brazilian automotive industry has also spurred the revival of upstream industries such as steel and auto parts. In 2013, Brazil's total national automobile production reached 3.74 million units, ranking 7th globally, making it undoubtedly a major automobile nation. Investors: Germany's Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen; America's Ford, General Motors; Italy's Fiat, Iveco; Japan's Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota; France's Peugeot-Citroen and Renault; Sweden's Volvo, Scania, among others.
Having lived in Brazil for a long time, I've noticed that local vehicles commonly use ethanol fuel. The fundamental reason is Brazil's exceptionally abundant sugarcane production. The country is well-suited for sugarcane cultivation, so the government utilizes it to produce ethanol fuel. This not only reduces petroleum import expenses but also creates job opportunities and boosts the agricultural economy. I recall that during the 1970s oil crisis, Brazil vigorously promoted its ethanol program, enabling vehicles to run on blended fuel. Nowadays, driving ethanol-powered cars means cheaper refueling costs, greater environmental friendliness, and lower emissions. If you visit Brazil, you'll experience the convenience of flex-fuel vehicles when renting a car—simply choose between ethanol or gasoline at the gas station. Overall, this fuel strategy is crucial for the nation's energy security.