Car and ethanol, the perfect combo for fuel savings!

Ethanol, also called bioethanol, comes from agriculture and is produced from plants rich in sugar and starch. In France, corn (50-55%), wheat (35%) and beetroot (23%) are used. After extracting the sugar and starch, their fermentation and distillation is still necessary to produce ethyl alcohol, completely free of water so that it can be mixed with gasoline.

Second-generation pilot plants are beginning to emerge to produce ethanol from green waste, before perhaps one day seeing the development of third-generation plants for production based on green algae…

It is therefore an alternative fuel with clean combustion that can be used instead of fossil fuels to power the engines of compatible vehicles. Unleaded petrol 95 (SP95) mixed with up to 10% ethanol is called E10, while a mixture containing up to 85% ethanol is called E85. This is called super ethanol.

As ethanol is made from renewable resources, it is a much cleaner fuel than petrol. It reduces CO2 emissions by 50 to 70% depending on its bioethanol content, and fine particles by around 90% compared to petrol. It therefore helps to extend the life of your car's engine by reducing fouling.

Although super ethanol is not yet available in all French gas stations, its availability is increasing over time. Currently, around 34% of French gas stations offer E85 biofuel.

With the increase in demand for alternative fuels, it is likely that more and more gas stations will offer super ethanol in the near future.

Less taxed than traditional fuels, super ethanol generally sells for less than 80 cents per liter, which makes it a much more affordable option for drivers – almost half the price!

So, for 13,000 km traveled, you can already count on saving more than 600 euros, despite approximately 25% more fuel consumption, depending on your vehicle and your driving.

In some regions, it is also sometimes possible to pay less for your registration card, thanks to the exemptions put in place, ranging from 50 to 100%. Not including deductible VAT for businesses, the conversion bonus, the TVS exemption for businesses, etc.

Better yet, using ethanol does not sacrifice power or performance. In fact, many drivers report that their ethanol-powered car runs better than gasoline alone!

Less refined than gasoline, ethanol actually helps the fuel burn oxygen more cleanly in the combustion chambers, limiting the formation of carbon deposits.

In order to have optimal combustion, the volume of fuel admitted is slightly higher, which results in an energy ratio that is often higher than with 100% gasoline fuel.

Better combustion thus leads to an increase in the efficiency and power of the engine.

Finally, E85 does not damage the catalytic converter despite some preconceived ideas. Since the evaporation point of ethanol, at around 150°, is lower than that of gasoline, the combustion chambers and the catalyst heat up less. The turbos are therefore preserved, and see their performance increased.

The only way to run on bioethanol is to use a new vehicle equipped for it or to install an approved conversion box on your gasoline vehicle (hybrid or not).

For maintenance, our Superethanol E85 range remains essential!

Indeed, E85 is a fuel that can weaken engines, because it does not originally contain additives. To overcome its stripping properties, Bardahl has developed a safe and effective solution: the multifunctional Superethanol treatment, combined with the Superethanol injector cleaner.

These complementary maintenance products preserve the life of your engine and injectors.

The stripping effects of Superethanol cause the detachment of residues present on the walls of the tank and in the hoses, thus risking clogging them. Thanks to its unique lubricating properties, the Superethanol Injector Cleaner, 100% compatible and miscible with E85, purifies the injection system, restores flow rates and prevents injectors and the injection pump from seizing, while allowing better engine performance thanks to optimal spraying.

To perfect this cleaning, Bardahl has developed a Superethanol Treatment which continuously protects the fuel supply system by maintaining an oil film on the cylinders, in order to ensure good compression and limit natural wear of the engine. It also facilitates the dispersion and elimination of water, thus effectively preventing any corrosion against the hydrophilic nature of bioethanol.

This simple maintenance measure will protect your engine and keep it in good working order for long periods!