Why Do Brazilian Cars Run on Alcohol?
2 Answers
Brazil is rich in sugarcane, and the residues left after sugar production can be fermented into alcohol, which is equivalent to waste recycling and also has low costs. Advantages: Ethanol has dissolving and cleaning functions, making the fuel system cleaner and reducing carbon deposits significantly compared to pure gasoline. Ethanol gasoline has better anti-knock properties, requires fewer anti-knock additives, and results in quieter engine operation. It offers better starting performance in winter. The combustion products have higher water content, leading to lower temperatures at high speeds and better power output. The exhaust emissions are also cleaner. Disadvantages: Lower heat value, which slightly reduces power and increases fuel consumption. In some older vehicles, long-standing deposits in the fuel system may loosen and clog the system when switching to ethanol gasoline. Ethanol is more prone to forming vapor locks in the fuel system under high temperatures. Some sealing components in older vehicles may be dissolved by ethanol.
I've always thought it's pretty cool that cars in Brazil 'drink alcohol'—it actually means they run on ethanol fuel, since ethanol is derived from sugarcane, similar to alcohol. There are many reasons for this: in Brazil, sugarcane is grown extensively, making production high and costs low, so fueling cars with ethanol is cheaper and more economical than gasoline. From an environmental perspective, ethanol emits less CO2 when burned, making it more climate-friendly, which I think is a responsible choice. Additionally, the Brazilian government started promoting this back in the 1970s during the oil crisis to reduce reliance on imported oil. Nowadays, flex-fuel vehicles are very popular—they can use a mix of ethanol and gasoline, with the engine adjusting automatically. Driving one of these cars, I found the experience smooth, though occasional maintenance checks are needed to prevent corrosion. Overall, it saves fuel and supports local agriculture—a win-win. For daily use, ethanol prices are more stable, making it a reliable option.