Green NCAP confirms benefits of bioethanol after testing 6 cars

The Green New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) confirmed the benefits of using bioethanol fuel in reducing greenhouse gases after it tested six vehicles — one of which is powered by bioethanol fuel.

Per the organization, the six cars used were the Kia Sportage, Mercedes‑Benz T‑Class, Land Rover Range Rover, Ford Focus, and two Ford Puma models. As for the latter, one model used standard fuel while the other used bioethanol.

Out of all the six vehicles, only the bioethanol-powered Ford Puma was able to score three stars.

The test result, explained Green NCAP, showed that “bioethanol has considerable benefits for the overall reduction of greenhouse gases and global impact on the environment.”

The Ford Puma running on standard fuel received an overall rating of two-and-a-half stars. Likewise, the Mercedes-Benz T-Class multipurpose utility vehicle and the Ford Focus hatchback scored 2.5 Green stars.

Kia’s Sportage sport utility vehicle (SUV) did not fare well with a score of two stars. Meanwhile, the larger Land Rover Range Rover SUV did even worse at one-and-a-half stars.

“In the transport sector, there are a range of possibilities that will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, depending on the local situation and available resources. In the transition phase to clean and green mobility, full powertrain electrification could be effectively supported by other climate-friendly options such as biofuels. Biofuel blending — Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to diesel (B7) and bioethanol to gasoline (E5, E10) — is state of the art in Europe and required by law. If surplus bioethanol amounts are available, the blending share can be increased and E85 could be a viable fuel for some applications. In the short term, flex-fuel vehicles are a cost-effective and efficient technical choice in the transition, provided the ethanol used complies with sustainability and socio-economic criteria. Here at Green NCAP, we congratulate Ford for placing the Puma as a flex-fuel option on some markets,” said Green NCAP Technical Manager Dr. Aleksandar Damyanov.

Photos from Green NCAP

Also read: 

Hyundai Tucson Hybrid gets 2 stars in Green NCAP

Green NCAP reveals the first results under tougher rating scheme

Euro-spec Mazda2 gets 3.5 stars in Green NCAP test