Brazilian Case Study - Solving Automotive Energy Dependence

Rising Gas prices have fueled a physiological rage in Americans. Seeing prices move from $2, 3 and 4 dollars has all of us crying foul. One unfortunate truth that gas payers must face is that we no longer control the price of gas. The truth is it is controlled by the global economy.

Under the Bush administration we have seen little done to curb the usage of oil or move to alternative energy. Innovation has been financed heavily by the economy and lightly by the government. Government has little helped with a solution.

Brazil is the model country for energy independence. During a period of stress on energy markets and consumers this country has achieved "energy independence". They've focused primarily on an energy plan that includes two main sources of energy. Good old oil and e85. Unlike the USA, Brazil uses sugarcane crops which produces more energy than corn based e85.

Unlike the USA in Brazil virtually every fuel station gives you two choices to fill up your car or truck. You can pick unleaded gasoline or the e85 blend. Using this approach has paved the way for energy independence in Brazil.

Back home the emphasis has always been on oil/gasoline. And while we know that a diversification of energy sources is needed the roll out of such a plan has not happened. Energy companies complain that adding e85 pumps in their gas stations would be "too expensive". This is as they make record profits where Exxon Mobil makes more money than entire industries in America.

Too be fair e85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) may not be ready for prime time in the USA. Corn based ethanol does not yield as much energy as is necessary to refine it. Being a product we use to eat there is the ethical issue of our gas tanks competing with our bellies.

Something else to consider is in America we burn a lot of energy. So finding an energy source that works is not necessarily the problem. The problem is finding one that is vast enough to make a difference.

Cellulosic Ethanol, which uses switchblade grass has been touted as the optimal e85 source. This is due to this source being able to produce much more energy than corn or sugarcane based sources. Cellulosic ethanol is still in it's infant stages but could quickly replace corn in the future.

The automotive industry also has to be on board here. In their roll they need to create cars, trucks and vans that are efficient and that compliment different energy sources like e85. Detroit has been cooperative here. Japan has been a little reserved. However a strong energy plan mixed with the backing of car makers could mean fossil fuel cars being left at the sites of Car Auctions in favor of newer transportation technology that uses alternative energy. This of course would spell profits for the investing car, truck, SUV and van maker.

Battery technology is something that has a lot to offer as well. Using a simple plug in we could turn fleets of cars into electric powered cars. In the USA we already have the best electric infrastructure in the world.

So the solution ultimately here is tapping 2 or 3 sources of energy. We can no longer rely mainly on oil and put a half-hearted effort in other energy approaches. Diversification and full implementation is the key!