Faced with fluctuations in the prices of alcohol and gasoline, the driver can take a quick account before deciding which of the two fuels pays more for each visit to the gas station.
To find out if it pays to switch from gasoline to alcohol, it is necessary to make a calculation that takes into account the performance of each fuel. The consumer must divide the value of a liter of ethanol by the value of a liter of gasoline. If it gives up to 0.70, alcohol compensates more.
According to engineer Gabriel Branco, an engine specialist, a vehicle fueled with ethanol yields, on average, 30% less than if it was running on gasoline. Therefore, to be worth it, a liter of ethanol must cost up to 70% of a liter of gasoline.
The calculation of the yield of alcohol in relation to gasoline, however, is an approximation. The base value (70%) can be higher or lower, depending on engine performance. It is necessary for the driver himself to monitor the cost of his vehicle and decide which is the best fuel in his case.
Consumers need to be aware of values, since differences in taxes and other local issues cause prices to fluctuate a lot from one place to another. In some states, ethanol pays more. In others, gasoline.
According to Branco, the best way to verify this relationship for each vehicle is through the PBEV (Brazilian Vehicle Labeling Program) label. This is a seal verified by Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) and provides details on the performance of flex-fuel models, with alcohol and gasoline, in the city and on the road.
In the July 2022 Inmetro assessment, a Chevrolet Onyx 1.0 engine, year 2022, for example, yields 9.5 kilometers per liter with alcohol in the city, and 12 km / l with gasoline. The compact Hyundai HB20 1.0 engine yields 9.8 km/l in the city with ethanol and 10.7 km/l with gasoline.
Inmetro reported, on a previous occasion, that there is no standardization for the dissemination of this seal in vehicles. Sources involved in the certification process said automakers that produce low-cost cars are reluctant to publicize the data to consumers.
The performance evaluation tables made by Inmetro can be consulted at this link, by year of manufacture and vehicle category.
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