Brazil fights oil prices with alcohol

Brazil fights oil prices with alcohol

Sales of 'Flex' cars that run on alcohol or gasoline surpassed August sales of gasoline-only vehicles.

By Andrew Downie | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilians aren't waiting for high-priced hybrid cars.

Drivers are fighting rising gasoline prices by buying "flex" or "flexible fuel" cars that slurp more alcohol.

Alcohol made from sugar cane is becoming the fuel of choice in Brazil, and other countries - so much so that global sugar prices hit a seven-year high this week.

Regular car engines will run fine on a 10 percent blend of alcohol and gasoline. But by using computer sensors that adjust to whatever mix is in the tank, flex car engines run on either ethanol, gasoline, or any combination of the two. And they have been roaring out of dealerships here since Volkswagen sold the first TotalFlex Golf in March 2003.

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Interesting article. It appears between hybrids, new diesels, and flex cars that oil's days are numbered even if a new supply is developed. No wonder the Bush family visionaries placed little georgie in the white house. They can see the writing on the wall and 'want it all now' while they can still get it.

Wow, I love our Prius but there is a certain appeal to the idea that me and my car can both run on martinis (but not at the same time, of course!). Hic.

That is great news! The flex cars cost the same as normal cars and the ethanol cost 1/2 to 1/3 less than petrol. It also burns cleaner and doesn't get shipped from the middle-east. I'm sold! Geez... wish the Prius engine could be a flex one day.

they've been using alcohol in racing for years, why haven't we picked this idea up to begin with? Everything else designed into our cars seems to be "racing inspired". Hmm. Great idea though.