The transport sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses.
Biofuels, and ethanol in particular, offer a practical and scalable solution to reduce the carbon intensity of land transport.
As governments push for decarbonization and seek to meet climate targets, ethanol-blended fuels and other biofuels are emerging as key components in achieving a low-carbon future.
Ethanol is one of the most widely used biofuels in the world, primarily blended with gasoline to reduce emissions from internal combustion engines. The most common ethanol-gasoline blends include:
E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline)
This blend is available in numerous countries and is compatible with almost all gasoline-powered vehicles. By using ethanol, E10 helps reduce tailpipe carbon emissions while also lowering harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline)
An increasing number of countries are adopting E15 as part of their biofuel mandates, offering an even greater reduction in emissions compared to E10. Many modern vehicles are designed to run on E15, making it an important step forward for countries looking to expand biofuel usage
E20, a fuel blend of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline
represents the next frontier in biofuel adoption for land transport. As countries like India move towards mandating E20, this higher ethanol blend offers greater carbon reductions and improves air quality by further lowering emissions of harmful pollutants. E20 is compatible with many modern gasoline engines, providing a practical, cost-effective solution for reducing reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining performance. Its adoption marks a significant step forward in the global effort to decarbonize the transport sector rapidly.
E27: Brazil's Leading Role in Ethanol Adoption
Brazil has taken a global leadership role in biofuel integration by mandating E27—a blend of 27% ethanol and 73% gasoline—as the standard fuel for all gasoline-powered vehicles. This high-ethanol blend significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, supporting Brazil’s efforts to decarbonize its road transport sector. E27 is compatible with the vast majority of vehicles in Brazil, particularly flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can seamlessly switch between E27 and higher ethanol blends like E85. This widespread use of ethanol has not only reduced the country’s dependence on imported oil but also provided economic benefits for Brazil’s robust sugarcane industry.
E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline)
E85 is specifically used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, offering significant reductions in carbon intensity. Brazil has been a global leader in FFVs, with millions of vehicles capable of using high-ethanol blends.
Transitioning Light-Duty Vehicles
For light-duty vehicles, such as personal cars, ethanol provides a highly effective way to reduce emissions in the short to medium term.
As countries set goals to phase out traditional internal combustion engines, ethanol offers an immediate solution to bridge the gap until electric vehicles (EVs) are more widely adopted.
Existing Fleet Compatibility
Millions of existing vehicles can run on ethanol-blended fuels like E10 and E15 without modification, allowing for an immediate reduction in carbon emissions. As fuel standards evolve, E20 and higher blends will offer even greater reductions.
Economic Benefits
Ethanol-blended fuels often cost less than pure gasoline due to government incentives and subsidies, making them an attractive option for consumers looking to reduce both fuel costs and environmental impact.
Environmental
Impact
Ethanol-blended fuels contribute to lower carbon emissions due to ethanol’s lower carbon intensity compared to gasoline.
For example, corn-based ethanol in the U.S. reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 52% compared to gasoline, while sugarcane ethanol in Brazil offers up to a 90% reduction. Advanced ethanol, such as cellulosic ethanol, promises even greater GHG reductions by utilizing non-food feedstocks and agricultural residues.
Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses, are responsible for a disproportionate share of transport emissions due to their size and the long distances they cover.
Ethanol is increasingly being integrated into diesel engines through ethanol-diesel blends (E-Diesel) and dual-fuel technologies, which allow for the use of ethanol alongside traditional diesel, lowering carbon emissions without sacrificing engine performance.
Ethanol-Diesel Blends
Blends like E10D (10% ethanol, 90% diesel) or higher are being tested in markets such as India, Brazil and the U.S., reducing particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur emissions. Ethanol’s high oxygen content also helps engines burn fuel more efficiently, improving air quality in densely populated areas.
Dual-Fuel Technology
Advanced technologies that allow for the co-combustion of ethanol and diesel are in development, offering heavy-duty fleets a transitional solution to decarbonization. This technology uses ethanol as a primary fuel with diesel acting as a backup, which can dramatically lower GHG emissions from freight transport.
Benefits for Public Transport Fleets
Ethanol offers substantial benefits for public transport systems, particularly in urban areas where air quality is a concern. Many cities around the world are adopting ethanol-powered buses as part of their green transport initiatives:
Land Transport
In countries like Sweden and Brazil, ethanol-powered buses are used to lower urban emissions, offering a clean alternative to traditional diesel buses. These buses emit significantly less particulate matter and NOx, improving air quality and public health.
Duel-Fuel Technology
Ethanol-powered vehicles use the same refueling infrastructure as gasoline, making the transition seamless for fleet operators. Cities can adopt ethanol without the need for costly overhauls to their fuel distribution systems.
The production and consumption of ethanol also provide significant economic benefits, especially for rural and agricultural communities:
Job Creation
The ethanol industry supports jobs in agriculture, fuel production, and distribution. In countries like the U.S., Brazil, and India, ethanol production has become a key driver of rural economic growth.
Energy Security
By producing ethanol from domestic feedstocks like corn, sugarcane, and cassava, countries can reduce their reliance on imported oil, improving energy security and stabilizing fuel prices.
LOOKING AHEAD:
While electrification is a long-term goal for decarbonizing land transport, biofuels like ethanol offer immediate and scalable solutions today.
The transition to cleaner fuels will likely involve a hybrid approach, where biofuels and electric vehicles coexist:
Integrating Biofuels with Electrification
Hybrid Biofuel-Electric Vehicles:
In the future, hybrid vehicles could run on biofuels like ethanol alongside electricity, maximizing the emissions reductions from both renewable sources.
FUELING A GREENER FUTURE, ONE POLICY AT A TIME
"At GCGF, we believe that sustainable fuels are more than just an alternative—they are the future. Our mission is to drive impactful policies and innovative solutions that accelerate the transition to a cleaner, low-carbon world.
– Clarence Woo, Managing Director, GCGF
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Changing Infrastructure:
While EV charging infrastructure is still being developed, ethanol fuels can reduce emissions from the existing vehicle fleet, allowing countries to decarbonize more rapidly while electric infrastructure catches up.
