Brazil Advances Clean Energy: Ministry of Mines and Energy Details Plan to Test Gasoline with 35% Ethanol (E35) in September, Boosting Future Fuel Law.
Brazil is on the verge of a significant step in its journey toward a more sustainable energy matrix. The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has announced the imminent publication of the testing plan for the introduction of E35 gasoline, which will contain 35% ethanol in its composition. This advancement, revealed by the National Secretary for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels, Renato Cabral, represents a milestone for the Future Fuel Law and signals a reinforced commitment to biofuels.
The initiative highlights the country’s strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The implementation of E35, following rigorous viability tests, promises not only environmental benefits through emission reductions but also a positive economic impact, as already observed with the current E32 blend.
Next Steps for E35
The timeline for formalizing the E35 testing plan is already set, demonstrating the government’s speed and planning. As detailed by Renato Cabral during a seminar at the Chamber of Deputies, the document will be submitted to the technical committee of the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) on September 11. The expectation is that the MME ordinance officially publishing the plan will be released shortly thereafter, on the 18th of the same month.
On the 11th [of September], we will submit the testing plan for approval to the technical committee of the CNPE [National Council for Energy Policy], and on the 18th, we will publish our ordinance from the Ministry of Mines and Energy with the testing plan for E35 and begin this robust work.
This move comes two years after the enactment of the Future Fuel Law in October 2024. The legislation was created with the aim of promoting programs that expand the use of fuels with a lower carbon footprint and establishing mechanisms for the progression of biofuel blends in Brazil.
The regulation emphasizes that any increase in the blend proportion must be supported by comprehensive technical studies that prove its viability before final deliberation by the CNPE.
The Transition to E32 and Its Benefits
The advance towards E35 is a continuation of the trend of increasing the share of ethanol in Brazilian gasoline. Since August, regular gasoline has already been temporarily incorporating 32%anhydrous ethanol, known as E32, an increase from the previous 30%. This change, approved by the CNPE, has an initial duration of 180 days, with the possibility of extension.
It is important to note that premium gasoline maintains its blend of 25%ethanol.
The tests conducted by the MME for E32 covered crucial aspects such as vehicle performance, drivability, cold start, fuel consumption, and emission levels. The results were encouraging, indicating performance equivalent to blends with lower ethanol content, even in vehicles not equipped with flex-fuel technology.
In addition to the environmental gains, Renato Cabral highlighted that the increased blend contributes to reducing the need for gasoline imports, strengthening national energy security.
The secretary emphasized the strategic importance of the Future Fuel Law for the ethanol sector. Cabral stated:
E32 will allow savings on imports of almost 1 billion liters of gasoline annually.
Underscoring the measure’s financial impact and contribution to energy sovereignty.
Prospects for Other Biofuels
The seminar marking the announcement of the E35 plan also served as a platform for discussions on the future of other biofuels in Brazil, under the umbrella of the Future Fuel Law. Projections for biodiesel are ambitious, with estimates suggesting that a 25% blend (B25) in 2035 could raise consumption in the road transport market to 20.4 billion liters, nearly double the current production.
Abiove (Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries) further projects a potential demand of 5.3 billion liters of biodiesel for aquatic transport. In the realm of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), estimates point to a production between 1.17 billion and 2.08 billion liters.
For biogas and biomethane, ABiogás (Brazilian Association of Biogas and Biomethane) forecasts a daily production potential of 216 million cubic meters of biogas and 120 million cubic meters of biomethane, respectively.
The publication of the plan to test E35 gasoline, along with the encouraging projections for other biofuels, solidifies Brazil‘s position as a global leader in renewable energy.
These initiatives, supported by the Future Fuel Law, are essential for the decarbonization of the economy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting a greener and more prosperous future.
The continuous progress in the research and implementation of sustainable energy solutions demonstrates the country’s commitment to innovation and the development of a robust clean energy sector.
