Biofuels for urban transport: Brazilian potential and implications for sustainable development

Abstract

This work analyzed potential, implications and experiences for biofuels with ethanol and biodiesel for urban transport in Brazil. Energy use in urban transport has been growing at a faster pace than other areas, a trend that is likely to continue. Transport is also responsible for a major share of air pollution in cities. Environmental and urban transport is a topic of priority for urban authorities and government organizations around the world. The fleet of Brazilian vehicles circulating has expanded from 3 million in 1970 to about 33 million in 2010, 70 percent of which are automobiles. Urban traffic problems are associated with the marked increase in the use of cars, added to an inappropriate public transportation system and heavy truck traffic in central areas. Another issue to be considered in future transportation policies is pollutant emissions, which are intensified through the predominant use of individual vehicles instead of collective ones, and also through increased use of diesel and gasoline, instead of alternative fuels. Brazil is one of the countries with high potential for fuel production from biomass and has already given a good example to the world as how to implement a program and use of biofuel based on renewable energy sources. The Brazilian ethanol program already has 34 years of experience and has produced a mature industry. Biodiesel, in turn, is just in the initial phases, with a chain of production being structured and the search being made for the best solutions from the economic, social and environment standpoints. © 2012 WIT Press.