Brazil gasoline blend increase alters fuel economy calculations

The introduction of E32 gasoline, which increases the mandatory anhydrous ethanol blend from 30% to 32% under the Fuel of the Future Law, is changing how Brazilian drivers evaluate fuel choices. This shift renders the traditional ‘70% rule’—where ethanol was considered more economical if its price was up to 70% of gasoline—largely obsolete.

Because the higher ethanol content alters the fuel's calorific value, the performance and efficiency gap between gasoline and ethanol has become less predictable. Experts note that modern flex-fuel engines may yield different results based on technology, model, and region, with some engines potentially making ethanol viable even above the old 70% threshold.

Tests conducted by the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia indicate that light vehicles and motorcycles maintain adequate performance, including cold starts and acceleration, with the new blend. However, consumers are advised to monitor real-world consumption and cost-per-kilometer rather than relying solely on the price per liter at the pump to determine true savings.