Brazil rolls out 32% ethanol gasoline blend (E32) nationwide
From 1 August 2024 Brazil will sell gasoline containing 32 % anhydrous ethanol (E32), up from the previous 30 % blend. The change was approved by the Conselho Nacional de Política Energética (CNPE) on 14 July 2024 and is set for an initial 180‑day period, renewable for another 180 days. The government says the measure reduces dependence on imported gasoline, cuts import volumes by roughly 800‑900 million litres per year and creates an additional demand of about 1 billion litres of ethanol annually, supporting the domestic biofuel sector.
Technical tests coordinated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia found no significant impact on performance, fuel consumption or emissions for most vehicles, especially modern flex‑fuel cars. Experts caution that older, non‑flex or imported gasoline‑only vehicles may experience higher fuel consumption, corrosion and wear of fuel‑system components. The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has filed a civil public action seeking suspension of the blend, arguing that the tests were inconclusive and that environmental effects have not been fully assessed.
The measure is part of the “Fuel of the Future” law, aiming to strengthen energy security and promote renewable fuels amid volatile international oil markets.
Entities: Anfavea (Brazilian Auto Dealers Association) · Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (ANFAVEA) · Brazil · Conselho Nacional de Política Energética (CNPE) · Ministério Público Federal (MPF) · Ministério de Minas e Energia · Union of Sugarcane and Bioenergy (Unica) · União da Indústria de Cana‑de‑Açúcar e Bioenergia (UNICA)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The gasoline blend with 32 % ethanol (E32) becomes effective on 1 August 2024. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Federal Public Ministry filed a civil public action to suspend the new gasoline blend, citing inconclusive tests and environmental concerns. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The E32 measure is initially valid for 180 days and may be extended for another 180 days. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] UNICA estimates the sector can meet an additional demand of about 1 billion litres of ethanol per year due to the new blend. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Government tests found no significant impact on vehicle performance, consumption or emissions for most cars with the 32 % ethanol blend. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The CNPE approved the increase from 30 % to 32 % ethanol in gasoline on 14 July 2024. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Experts warn that older, non‑flex or imported vehicles may experience higher fuel consumption, corrosion and component wear with the 32 % ethanol blend. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The blend is expected to reduce gasoline imports by roughly 800‑900 million litres per year. (multiple)