Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
0 comments 
Audi’s Model Is Fueled by Biogas Generated from Sugarcane Industry Waste and Promises Performance, Economy, and Sustainability in the Same Package
A luxury sports car, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 9 seconds, can also be sustainable and cheap to fuel? The answer is yes — and the solution comes straight from Brazilian sugarcane fields. Audi introduced the A5 Sportback g-tron model in Brazil, a sports car powered by sugarcane waste, which uses biogas as fuel and guarantees savings of up to R$ 1 per liter compared to traditional diesel.
The innovation, which combines top performance with minimal environmental impact, is the result of a partnership between the German automaker, Coopcana (Regional Agricultural Cooperative of Sugarcane Producers), Geo Energética, and Acesa Bioenergia, which are responsible for the production and purification of the 100% renewable fuel.
How the Car Powered by Sugarcane Waste Works
The Audi A5 Sportback g-tron is equipped with a 2.0 TFSI engine with 170 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds, with a top speed of 224 km/h. The compressed gas tanks are located under the rear structure of the car, with a capacity to store 19 kg of fuel, which is enough to travel up to 500 kilometers.
-
Ducati brings to Brazil the Superleggera V4 Centenario: 228 hp that become 247 with a track kit, carbon fiber and carbon-ceramic brakes, estimated price between R$ 1.5 and 2 million, deliveries only in 2027.
-
Used cars with electric steering for R$ 30,000: check out 5 practical and economical options for everyday use.
-
The 2026 Honda CRF 300L Rally ultra-light weighs 153 kg, travels 400 km with a 12.8 L tank, and handles both asphalt and dirt; it features a 286 cm³ engine, switchable ABS, and a slipper clutch.
-
Less than a Tera TSI, up to 710 km of range and charging in 9 minutes: the new BYD Song Ultra expands the Chinese brand’s bet on increasingly faster, more technological, and competitively priced electric SUVs.
The model can achieve up to 26 km per kilo of gas, emitting only 102 g of CO₂ per km — one of the lowest rates among vehicles in its category. When fueled with gasoline, the consumption is up to 17 km per liter, with emissions of 126 g of CO₂ per km. In other words, in addition to being more economical, biogas is also cleaner.
From Pomace to Tank: How Waste Becomes Fuel
It all starts at the Coopcana plant, located in Umuarama, in the northwest of Paraná. The waste from sugarcane, which would normally be destined for disposal or composting, is sent to Geo Energética, in Tamboara (PR), where it undergoes an anaerobic digestion process, transforming into biogas with a high purity content.
Next, the biogas is purified by Acesa Bioenergia through a technology called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), a German-origin method considered a global benchmark in the sector. The result is a biomethane certified by ANP, equivalent to vehicle natural gas (GNV), but 100% renewable.
According to Acesa, the current processing capacity of the plant is sufficient to supply about 90 vehicles a day, including passenger cars, trucks, tractors, and harvesters.
Savings of Up to R$ 1 per Liter Compared to Diesel
The biogas produced from sugarcane waste has an average cost similar to conventional GNV. According to data from the Brazilian Association of Biogas and Biomethane (ABiogás), the final price can be up to 50% lower than gasoline, providing savings of up to R$ 1 per liter compared to diesel, especially for large fleet operators.
Additionally, the use of this fuel reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 95% compared to fossil fuels, along with a drop of 90% in pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter — substances that directly impact air quality and public health.
Biomethane Has the Potential to Replace 70% of Diesel in Brazil
According to Abiogás, Brazil is the country with the highest potential for biogas production in the world, with the capacity to generate up to 82 billion cubic meters per year. The sugar-energy sector, which includes sugar and ethanol production, leads this potential with the capacity to generate 41 billion cubic meters annually. The agribusiness sector contributes 38 billion and the sanitation sector contributes 4 billion cubic meters per year.
Currently, the sector’s goal is to achieve 10.7 million Nm³/day of biomethane by the end of 2025, reaching 32 million Nm³/day by 2030. This would be enough to fuel around 1.6 million light vehicles or replace 20% of the national consumption of diesel, which is more polluting, more expensive, and predominantly imported.
RenovaBio Could Further Boost Technology Adoption
Since the approval of RenovaBio in 2017, Brazil has had a national policy to promote biofuels, with decarbonization targets and incentives for the production of clean fuels. Plants that use sugarcane waste to generate biomethane receive higher environmental efficiency ratings, which can be converted into decarbonization credits (CBIOs) — traded in the financial market.
With the final regulation underway, the expectation is that companies like Coopcana, Geo Energética, and Acesa Bioenergia will be rewarded financially and environmentally, while also promoting the commercial use of biomethane in Brazil.
Sports Cars, Tractors, and Harvesters: Versatility of the Fuel
Although the Audi A5 Sportback g-tron is a symbol of innovation and sustainability in the premium segment, the use of biomethane is not limited to passenger cars. This fuel is perfectly adaptable to agricultural vehicles such as tractors, trucks, and harvesters, offering cost reduction and lower environmental impact in the field.
Widespread adoption can also benefit cities and public fleets, such as urban buses and collection vehicles, contributing to the decarbonization of public transport and meeting national climate targets.
Brazilian Innovation with German Technology
The union between the European automotive industry and the Brazilian agro-industrial sector represents a successful case of sustainable innovation. The project of the sports car powered by sugarcane waste is an example of how Brazil can transform agricultural waste into economic and environmental value, using cutting-edge technologies such as PSA to add value to the biofuel chain.
The initiative has the potential to position Brazil as a global leader in the production and use of advanced biofuels, opening doors for new international partnerships and the export of sustainable solutions on a large scale.
More than just a technical innovation, the car powered by sugarcane waste represents a new way of thinking about mobility, sustainability, and economy. By combining high performance, reduced emissions, and real savings for consumers, Audi’s model fueled by Brazilian biogas shows that the future of transportation can be green, fast — and accessible.
Gradually, this type of technology should stop being the exception and become the standard, not only in luxury cars but also in public transport, agriculture, and logistics. And all of this begins with what was once discarded: the sugarcane pomace.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!