Toyota to launch India’s trial flex fuel car project today: All you need to know

Flex-fuel compatible cars are capable of running on more than one type of fuel, or a mixture of petrol with ethanol or methanol. The engine of the flex fuel car automatically adjusts for any ratio of fuel, with the help of modifications like a fuel composition sensor. These flex-fuel engines can run on up to 85 percent petrol with ethanol (e85 Flex Fuel) and are already available in countries such as Brazil, the US and Canada.

Flex fuel vehicles are more efficient and have improved acceleration performance when they are fuelled with higher ethanol blends, as per the US Department of Energy.

Most of the parts of the flexible fuel vehicles are similar to that of petrol-only vehicles but certain modifications in the flex-fuel cars allow them to operate on petrol or its blend with ethanol up to 85 percent.

The difference is a set of certain ethanol-compatible components and modifications to the fuel pump and fuel injection system. Flex fuel vehicles are also calibrated with Engine Control Module to accommodate the higher oxygen content of ethanol. This system monitors and controls the fuel mixture, ignition timing, and emissions system and keeps a track of the operation of the vehicle and ensures safety from overuse.

The Government of India is keen to introduce flex-fuel vehicles in the country and is also seeking collaboration with Brazil which has a well-developed market for flex-fuel vehicles. Since India is one of the largest sugarcane producers, it has great potential to produce enormous amounts of ethanol.

The ‘National Policy on Biofuels’ notified by the Government in 2018 targeted the introduction of E20 flex-fuel (80 percent petrol, 20 per cent ethanol) by 2023. As per the new regulation automakers will be compelled to manufacture engines compatible with the fuel.