Honda has for many years had small displacement engines capable of being powered with fuel E85 or, as it is commonly called, Flex. Flexible fuel vehicles“, Called FFVs, have the ability to run on conventional unleaded petrol, E85, or simply a combination of both.
In Europe these vehicles are not marketed, but in Brazil a very high percentage of cars are powered by this biodegradable fuel (it is extracted from sugar cane), which is none other than ethanol. Indeed, the production of Flex-Fuel vehicles began in the South American country as early as 2003 and its implementation is remarkable.
So that Honda Motorcycle e Scooter India recently announced that both technologies such as the flexible power supply system and those for the Asian country will be developed electric mobility. A beautiful mission statement, che highlights how Honda does not see the need to focus exclusively on electrification in the short to medium term future. Although this will involve a significant technological investment. In fact, if in Brazil you can drive with Euro4 engines, in India a Euro5 compliant engine is mandatory.
Honda, however, has stated that, despite the problems, it will introduce its first Flex fuel compatible model in India at the end of 2024.
Honda and Flex fuel, there are disadvantages and advantages
Ethanol has some advantages over regular unleaded gasoline. Polluting emissions are considerably lower and the price per liter is cheaper. But, curiously, you spend more on driving the same miles than in a gasoline-powered vehicle. It also has 113 octane per liter and, unlike gasoline, contains oxygenan element which, as known, promotes combustion.
So it compensates for its use with the fact that it is considerably cheaper. Something that unfortunately, due to the enormous inflation that is going through Brazil, does not happen.
To get an idea, in the South American country a liter of ordinary petrol (of worse quality than the European one) is around 7.5 reais (plus or minus 1.5 euro / liter). It should be borne in mind that the minimum inter-professional salary is around 300 euros. So Flex fuel, despite everything, almost becomes a forced choice.