Ethanol is emerging as an advantageous alternative at the pump across much of the country, driven by increased biofuel production and the new blend in gasoline.
Refueling vehicles with ethanol has become a financially attractive choice across much of the national territory, driven by the growth in the supply of clean and sustainable energy.
A recent survey by ANP indicates that the plant-based fuel is worthwhile in 11 states when applying the traditional equivalence calculation, a number that jumps to 24 states if the 75% index for modern engines is considered.
This favorable scenario stems from the growth of the national sugarcane and corn harvest, consolidating Brazil as a global reference in energy transition.
While the sugarcane-derived fuel gains ground at the pumps, gasoline maintains high price levels, reflecting pressures from the international oil market and logistics costs.
The math of savings at the pump
The traditional rule of thumb for drivers dictates that ethanol is worth it when it costs up to 70% of the price of gasoline, offsetting the lower calorific value of the renewable product.
However, the technological evolution of flex-fuel engines allows this margin to rise to 75% efficiency without hurting the consumer’s wallet.
Proximity to major production centers, located mainly in the country’s Central-South region, ensures significant logistical advantages.
States such as Mato Grosso, São Paulo, and Goiás lead the list of highest competitiveness, recording the lowest price ratios compared to fossil fuels.
Regional differences also influence competitiveness. States close to the main ethanol production hubs, concentrated in the Central-South, tend to record lower prices due to lower transportation and distribution costs.
New rules and the future of mobility
Consumption dynamics have also been altered by recent government guidelines that directly impact the fuel sector.
Since August, the percentage of anhydrous ethanol blended into gasoline rose to 32%, as determined by CNPE, altering the energy yield of fossil fuels and making the plant-based option even more attractive for the circulating fleet.
Only three federal units — Amapá, Sergipe, and Rio Grande do Norte — keep the plant-based derivative above the 75% ceiling, penalized by freight costs and limitations in regional transportation infrastructure.
With Conab projecting a record volume exceeding 41 billion liters for the current cycle, the trend is the consolidation of ethanol as an essential pillar for the decarbonization of transportation.
This expansion reinforces the strategic role of biofuels in the Brazilian energy matrix, paving the way for greener and more accessible urban mobility in the coming years.