Wedoany.com Report-Mar 18, Tests in Brazil exploring the viability of increasing the proportion of anhydrous ethanol mixed with gasoline to 30% showed "consistent performance" and "real environmental benefits," Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira said on Monday.
Gasoline drips from the nozzle of a fuel pump at a Brazilian oil company Petrobras gas station in Brasilia, Brazil March 7, 2022.
"With E30 we will become, once and for all, independent from gasoline imports, something that has not happened since 2010," he said during a presentation to highlight the test results.
Currently, gasoline in Brazil includes 27% anhydrous ethanol. A mandated raise in that proportion to 30% - known as E30 - would increase demand for ethanol in the South American country.
Anhydrous ethanol contains a minimum water content - less than 0.1% - and is mixed with gasoline. Hydrous ethanol contains more water and is used as a fuel in its own right.
Following the successful test results, the ministry will take the proposal to increase the ethanol proportion in gasoline to the National Energy Policy Council, Silveira added.
However, while Silveira said the ministry will take the proposal to the council this year, he did not give an exact date or shorter time frame, citing prudence out of concern for prices of sugar, corn and soy.
The move to E30 will result in some 9 billion reais ($1.59 billion) investments, the minister said.
In a statement, the Ministry of Mines and Energy estimated that E30 would result in a reduction of up to 0.13 reais per liter of gasoline at the pump.
