rotary height; French motorists are increasingly tempted by ethanol or E85 fuel. Logic: the financial favorite in France, in the Paris region a liter costs just over 0.80 euros at the pump, versus 2 euros for 95 unleaded! It is recognized that with E85, consumption is about a quarter higher. But the savings are still great. Suddenly, with the prices that unleaded and diesel at the pump reached at the beginning of 2022, manufacturers of ethanol conversion kits, particularly Bioengines and Flexfuel Energy Development, are boasting record-breakers. The rise in ethanol conversions actually reached 700% in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2021, according to a study by data aggregator NGC-Data and the trade journal. Argos.
Even if the volumes in absolute terms remain relatively low, only 9220 special vehicles have been adapted. These transformations mainly concern old vehicles. Thus nearly a third of conversions were made on models over eight years old, especially Renault, Peugeot, Citroen and Dacia. Renault Clio in first place, ahead of Dacia Sandero and Citroen C3. Even ten Porsche owners have taken this step. No problem with this fuel! More than 2,800 service stations distribute the super ethanol in France. This is double what it was in 2019. Since all fuels can be used randomly in these vehicles, there is no danger of running out of fuel.
Ford is betting on ethanol
Some manufacturers are even betting on ethanol as a standard. These are Ford and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). And so the American group chose this “transitional solution aimed at satisfying the big wheels and replacing the diesel,” he explained to Challenges Louis Carl Vignon, CEO of Ford France, last April. Ford therefore offers a (nearly) full range of new E85-fueled passenger cars and vehicles. small scale Puma SUVFilling his 42-liter tank costs a maximum of €40 with ethanol, or generally half the cost of filling his unleaded tank. “The individual will save €100 per month according to our calculations,” the Michigan company identifies. Prices for vehicles so prepared at the factory are globally comparable to those for gasoline versions of equivalent power. Or a maximum at an additional cost of 200 to 300 euros.
These models emit less carbon dioxide2 According to the accreditation cycles. So they are generally relieved of the glitch, as the account network has been reduced by 40%! And the gray card is free in almost all urban areas. Flexifuel, in the second half of 2021, represented 65% of Ford’s sales in France. In the entire French market, new cars running on super ethanol registered in the first four months of 2022 made up 1.4% of the total, according to the PFA (Platform Automotive), or 6,800 units.
According to technicians, if buying a new car designed to run on E85 is not a big problem, then converting gasoline models that were not initially designed for such fuel can raise significant concerns. This fuel shows that this fuel is more corrosive than unleaded Argos. Furthermore, manufacturers are required by law to cover parts in contact with ethanol, such as an engine, post-emission treatment system, tank or supply circuit. In the event of a problem, if the car is still under warranty, the risk is that the car manufacturer and the box manufacturer exceed the required amount. That is why many motorists prefer to perform this conversion on older vehicles where the manufacturer’s warranty is no longer valid. it is easier.
Really cleaner?
Is E85 really a cleaner fuel? Here all the question. A liquid fuel containing between 65% and 85% bioethanol — the rest is SP95 gasoline — this fuel has been on the market since 2007. This biofuel produced in Europe remains environmentally friendly, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Reduces greenhouse emissions by 70% compared to fossil gasoline and emits virtually no particles, with a 90% reduction between gasoline and super ethanol. Bioethanol is produced from beets and cereals grown in France on an area of 330 thousand hectares or 1% of the useful agricultural area, as well as sugar and starch residues.
But the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT) in a study published last year disputed this data. Over the entire cycle, biofuels used in Europe had a carbon footprint just 2% lower than that of gasoline, ICCT estimates! The National Institute for Agricultural, Food and Environmental Research (Inrae) notes that the calculations do not take into account carbon dioxide emissions2 related to production, processing and marketing. Furthermore, the institute warns of the dangers of prioritizing research and innovation efforts in biofuels, at the expense of agri-food. With threats of food shortages looming, the topic is becoming sensitive. But, in the minority in the fuel group in France, the E85 remains a driving solution in the same way.