News: Brazil's ethanol-based transport model is being highlighted as a global benchmark, offering lessons for India's ethanol blending programme and Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).

Key Highlights

• One of the world's most successful biofuel programmes, based on sugarcane ethanol.
• 1931: Introduced 5% mandatory ethanol blending in petrol.
• 1975: Launched Proálcool (National Alcohol Programme) after the oil crisis.
• 2003: Commercial introduction of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
• 2025: Fuel of the Future Law mandates E30 (30% ethanol-blended petrol).
• Most vehicles in Brazil can run on petrol, ethanol, or any blend.
• Strong integration of government policy, automobile industry, fuel infrastructure, and sugarcane production.

Significance

• Reduces crude oil imports and improves energy security.
• Cuts greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Promotes renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and rural economy.
• Serves as a model for India's E20/E30 blending targets and flex-fuel ecosystem.

Important Terms

• Proálcool: Brazil's National Alcohol Programme (1975) to promote ethanol as transport fuel.
• Flex-Fuel Vehicle (FFV): Vehicle capable of running on petrol, ethanol, or any mixture of both.
• E30: Petrol containing 30% ethanol and 70% gasoline.
• Fuel of the Future Law: Brazil's legislation strengthening biofuel adoption and making E30 mandatory from 2025.