Why Doesn't Beijing Use Ethanol Gasoline?
2 Answers
Beijing is not avoiding ethanol gasoline, but it has not yet been widely adopted. Here is an expanded explanation: 1. Introduction to Ethanol Gasoline: Ethanol gasoline refers to the addition of 10% (in China) of fuel ethanol (commonly known as alcohol) to regular unleaded gasoline. In simple terms, it is gasoline blended with 10% biofuel ethanol. It is typically denoted by the letter 'E' following the gasoline octane rating, such as E92#, E95#, and E98#. 2. Disadvantages of Ethanol Gasoline: Ethanol has a lower calorific value than conventional gasoline, approximately 60% of regular automotive gasoline, which can increase engine fuel consumption by 5%. Additionally, it reduces vehicle performance, fuel economy, and cold-start capability, negatively impacting acceleration. 3. Advantages of Ethanol Gasoline: The ethanol in ethanol gasoline is a renewable resource with mature technology. It burns more completely, effectively reducing harmful exhaust emissions and benefiting environmental protection. Ethanol gasoline also has excellent cleaning properties, effectively eliminating the deposition and coagulation of fuel impurities in the fuel tank and fuel system.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience in Beijing, I find ethanol-blended gasoline relatively rare here, primarily due to policy preferences favoring direct emission reduction methods. Beijing's stringent air quality management makes promoting electric vehicles and improving public transportation systems more effective, such as subway extensions and the widespread adoption of electric taxis. While ethanol gasoline theoretically reduces emissions, its strong hygroscopic nature can corrode engine components or increase fuel consumption in the dry northern climate. I've personally experienced starting difficulties after using ethanol-blended fuel. Retrofitting gas stations to handle ethanol also incurs additional costs, and Beijing's infrastructure hasn't been fully upgraded yet. Therefore, people are more accustomed to using traditional gasoline or directly switching to new energy vehicles to avoid these compatibility issues.
