Bioethanol can be a more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel

Bioethanol can be a more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel in areas where electric mobility cannot develop rapidly. This emerges from a study by the Technical University of Vienna, in which scientists studied the emissions of engines powered by an ethanol-diesel combination called ED95. The study showed not only a better balance of carbon dioxide (CO2), but also lower emissions of particulate matter and soot. Researchers from the Institute for Automotive Drives and Technology, under the auspices of the university, used ED95 from Sweden for their experiments. This fuel consists of ethanol from vegetable raw materials, to which additional substances are mixed to improve ignition and lubrication. The use of ED95 has been investigated on test lines for passenger car engines "Our results have clearly shown that ethanol-diesel can be successfully used as a substitute fuel for a modified diesel engine, and this concept will bring significant benefits to the environment," APA quoted Bernhard Geringer, director of the institute. Because combustion produces only as much CO2 as plants have previously absorbed, scientists say CO2 emissions have been reduced by about 90 percent compared to conventional fossil diesel. In addition, there have been major benefits in terms of particulate emissions. Emissions were virtually zero when using E95. As there is a link between particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions in a conventional diesel engine, a thorough engine setup also provides a chance to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. However, scientists point out that extensive changes to engine settings are necessary to use the ED95, so it is not possible to use the ED95 and conventional diesel at the same time. In areas such as construction machinery or tractors, as well as in road freight transport, where electric mobility is reaching its limits, ethanol-diesel can be a good alternative to improving emissions. However, scientists emphasize that a complete transition of all diesel vehicles to the new type of fuel is not possible, as the areas for growing the necessary plants are far from sufficient.