Brazil started to promote bioethanol as a fuel after the oil crisis in the 70s. Petrol now contains at least 20 per cent bioethanol, and there is a nationwide network of filling stations for the environmentally friendly fuel E85. Around 75 % of the vehicles on the road in Brazil are now Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV).

Bioethanol production in the USA has been enormously expanded in the last ten years: it is now the world’s largest producer, and output is still growing strongly. Ten per cent ethanol is already added to petrol in many states, and a market is already developing for E85 fuel. Over six million FFV vehicles are already registered in the USA.