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Refueling for less than € 1 per liter: the promise of bioethanol conversion units

2021-10-16T04:15:31.501Z


Ecological and economical, running on superethanol-85 seems to be the miracle solution. But what is it really?


Faced with fuel price increases which undermine the purchasing power of the French, some are turning to ethanol, a biofuel produced in France thanks to the fermentation of sugars and starch contained in sugar beets or cereals.

And for good reason, the price of a liter of superethanol-85 is 70 cents, against 1.534 euros for diesel, 1.69 euros for the SP98 and 1.63 euros for the SP95, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Ecological Transition .

While this biofuel leads to an increase in consumption of around 20%, it therefore remains much more profitable than gasoline or diesel, and is increasingly attractive.

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To run on bioethanol legally, it is first possible to buy a directly compatible vehicle, but offers are rare in France. The American brands Ford or Jaguar-Land Rover are the main ones to offer ethanol ranges alongside their Diesel or Gasoline ranges.

The other solution, easier to adopt in the short term, is to install an approved converter box on your gasoline vehicle.

This will allow you to replace your SP95 or SP98 fuel with superethanol-85.

To do this, you will first need to check that your vehicle is compatible with one of the approved brands, then make an appointment with an approved garage to have it installed.

Installation typically takes 24 hours.

Be careful if your box is not approved, your insurance could refuse to compensate you in the event of an accident.

Existing engine reprogramming solutions are also illegal.

Ethanol conversion units on gasoline vehicles.

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Economical, ecological, and produced in France

Today in France, there are thus 39,000 original FlexFuel vehicles and 105,000 boxes installed according to figures from the National Union of Agricultural Alcohol Producers. The market is anecdotal compared to the nearly 40 million vehicles in circulation in France, but it is progressing rapidly, driven by two arguments: significant savings and a reduced ecological impact. The company FlexFuel Energy Development, which sells ethanol conversion units, reports a sales increase of + 37% since the start of the year. Biomotors, another player on the market, sells for its part “

1,500 boxes every month, with an increase of 40% this year

”.

Alexandre, a convinced user, is already on his second conversion and the savings are significant: "

a full tank of gas cost me 65 € against 25 € for a full tank of ethanol

", he explains enthusiastically.

The installation of the case also cost him € 790, from which he was able to deduct aid from the Hauts-de-France region, which is financing the conversion up to 40%.

According to him, "

the investment is therefore reimbursed in 10 full

".

Beatrice, equipped since May 2021, has not received aid from the Normandy region, but with a saving of € 40 per tank for an initial investment of € 800, she does not regret her choice.

"

I do 600km with 30 €

" she explains to

Le Figaro

.

"I do 600 km with 30 euros"

Béatrice, user of a converter box since May 2021.

According to the president of Flexfuel, the box costs between 700 and 1,200 € depending on the engine, those with direct injection requiring more expensive devices.

He then recommends the installation for "

drivers who plan to travel more than 15,000 km with their vehicle

", the average distance from which the unit would be profitable.

For Biomotors, prices vary between € 900 and € 1,300, according to CEO Alexis Landrieu.

Another economic argument: some regions offer aid.

As mentioned above, the Hauts-de-France is financing the conversion up to 40%, the Grand Est also offers assistance of € 500.

Finally, bioethanol has the advantage of ecology.

According to the founders of FlexFuel and Biomotors, installing a converter box reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 70% and particulate emissions by 90%.

For Alexandre, this also motivated his purchase: “

I am not very convinced by electric vehicles and bioethanol seems to me to be an interesting alternative.

We do not burn fossil fuels and there is no problem with batteries

”.

Finally, France is the leading European producer of bioethanol and this sector today represents 9,000 jobs according to the SNPAA.

Too good to be true ?

Gearboxes to run on an ecological fuel, produced in France and which would make it possible to make significant savings? The portrait would seem almost too good to be true. However, some points of attention should be considered. First of all, there are only around 2,500 gasoline stations offering bioethanol in France, out of the 11,000 stations in the country, all fuels combined. But this does not seem to be a problem for users: “

With a gearbox you can drive on ethanol but also on SP95 or 98 and alternate as desired. When I can't find superethanol-85, I just fill it up with unleaded

”, therefore without the savings, explains Alexandre, user of a FlexFuel box. For Patrick, who lives near Sancerre, “

there is no problem: I have five stations available within a radius of 20 kilometers

”.

In addition, several users report difficulties starting in winter: "

My car sometimes has trouble starting when it's cold, you have to turn the key two or three times for cold combustion to take place

" says Alexandre. Béatrice also has trouble starting since the temperatures drop: "I

have to do it several times, but the garage offered to iron for free to make an adjustment that will facilitate starting

" she tells us, confident. Patrick found the solution: “

With my hybrid vehicle, it is the electric motor that is used when starting, so I have no problem. When the ethanol takes over, the engine is already hot

”.

Some users also wonder about the corrosive nature of E85.

If the brands of conversion units are reassuring, the manufacturer's warranty is suspended on all parts in contact with superethanol-85, as soon as the device is installed.

The companies that sell these boxes are however obliged by the regulations to guarantee all these parts to the user, to compensate for the loss of the manufacturer's warranty.

Alexis Landrieu, CEO of Biomotors assures him: "

There is no risk for the vehicle, the approved units have been tested by UTAC, an organization commissioned by the State

".

Read alsoThe programmed end of gasoline engines

Finally, a question remains: will the State take advantage of the enthusiasm for this biofuel to increase taxes on superethanol-85 and increase its tax revenues?

The approach could seem politically dangerous, but it must be considered by consumers who wish to invest.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-10-16

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