Ethanol Needs to Keep Up With Electrification Trends, Say Sugar Mill Operators During Debate With MME

Around the world, the electrification trend is becoming stronger and, according to the sugarcane growers, if gasoline and ethanol do not keep up with the growth, both will be left behind. The statement was taken from a debate between the group and the MME to analyze possible changes.

Sugarcane growers from all over Brazil are attentive to the electrification trend happening worldwide, as demonstrated by Mário Campos Filho, leader of the National Sugar-Energy Forum (FNS). He was responsible for raising the debate on the subject with the Minister of Mines and Energy (MME), Alexandre Silveira, in an attempt to enhance gasoline and ethanol in light of a scenario that can no longer be ignored.

Fuels Will Be Left Behind If They Are Not Integrated into Electrification, According to the FNS Leader

For Campos Filho, the logic is quite simple: electrification is spreading rapidly, and everything that opposes it will lose strength. As he himself commented, when looking specifically at Brazil: “ethanol and gasoline will die embraced together” if the trend is ignored by the country’s authorities.

Until then, the last debate on the topic had taken place in the previous government, and the indication given was that, for the solution to be considered in more practical terms, it would be necessary to go through biofuels first.

Abroad, decisions are quicker, as can be seen in relation to China, the United States, and some European countries.

According to the president of the FNS, it is essential for sugarcane growers to integrate common practice with the evolution that has gained strength: “The electrification trend, which brings with it the concept of decarbonizing the vehicle matrix, can also include fuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions. More environmentally friendly.”

Regarding the topic of possible solutions, this is where Campos Filho sees a viable entry for ethanol and gasoline, as the petroleum derivative sold daily at gas stations needs to have at least 27% renewable content, making it a viable option.

The Electrification Trend Is Not Just About Gasoline-Powered Cars. Variety Opens Up Room for Adaptations in the Brazilian Context

The hybrid model, which combines gasoline, ethanol, and energy, is an important part of electrification and has relevance in the context of the growing trend.

Battery-powered cars are also a reality, just like the recharging process at charging stations, but the evolutionary project goes beyond that. An important point, in fact, is the fuel cell.

In this case, ethanol acts as a source of hydrogen and serves as a form of energy capable of moving the vehicle.

In this instance, the battery is dispensable, breaking the model that people usually imagine when talking about electrification.

Considering this range of possibilities, Campos Filho emphasizes that Brazil, where ethanol is already so popularized, can gain great prominence by linking the fuel to electrification as a way to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles.

To put the proposed idea into practice, it is necessary to think of a strong infrastructure to bring practicality to those investing in electric cars, especially considering the increase in electricity demand that is expected to occur.

Despite this, the electrification trend cannot be denied, and ethanol can strongly contribute to making Brazil a pioneer in the area by presenting a more acceptable environmental proposal to the public, in addition to being common to sugarcane growers. The MME, as a governmental institution, must also contribute to making the idea feasible.