Scoping Ethanol vs. Electrification for Decarbonizing Brazil’s Urban Mobility: Pathways to Cleaner Air and Reduced Emissions

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of ethanol use on air quality in Brazil, focusing on its contribution to ground-level formation. While ethanol is widely regarded as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, its role in ground-level ozone formation raises critical environmental concerns. The study evaluates Brazil’s policy framework and its implications for emissions control and air quality regulation, while also identifying gaps in both policy and current research. Specifically, it highlights underexplored areas in life cycle assessments (LCA) of ethanol and its broader air quality impacts. Stakeholder perspectives from industry, government, and environmental organizations provide insights into the effectiveness of existing policies and reveal critical research and regulatory shortcomings. The findings underscore the trade-offs between ethanol’s carbon reduction benefits and its adverse effects on air quality, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive studies and enhanced monitoring systems. Additionally, the analysis identifies barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, pointing to policy gaps and opportunities for advancing cleaner urban transportation solutions. Using these findings, actionable recommendations for policymakers and researchers are provided to advocate for integrated strategies that address both climate and air quality concerns in Brazil.