The Brazilian biofuel alternative Online publication date: Fri, 05-Feb-2010
by Marcos Amatucci, Eduardo Eugenio Spers
International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM), Vol. 10, No. 1, 2010
Abstract: Alternatives to fossil fuels require both appropriate technological development and subsequent adoption by consumers. While electric or hybrid automotives seem to be an international trend, the Brazilian automotive industry has instead pursued biofuels, i.e., ethanol and biodiesel. Notwithstanding its ecological advantages, certain negative elements may serve as a barrier to its widespread use, such as price, origin, and accessibility of both final product and raw materials. Using the new institutional economic framework, this study aims to identify factors that influence decision-making for the Brazilian economic agents. The study was conducted using document analysis and in-depth interviews with consumers, private agents, and experts related to biofuel production. We conclude that the Brazilian experiences with ethanol and biodiesel differ significantly from one another; the first has reached a mature level of sustainability, while the second is still dependent on institutional initiatives in order to develop fully. Implications and possible future generalisations of the Brazilian experience to other countries are discussed.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com