Brazil fights oil prices with alcohol

[GAspnes]

RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilians aren't waiting for high-priced hybrid cars. Drivers are fighting rising gasoline prices by buying "flex" or "flexible fuel" cars that slurp more alcohol.

Alcohol made from sugar cane is becoming the fuel of choice in Brazil, and other countries - so much so that global sugar prices hit a seven-year high this week.

Regular car engines will run fine on a 10 percent blend of alcohol and gasoline. But by using computer sensors that adjust to whatever mix is in the tank, flex car engines run on either ethanol, gasoline, or any combination of the two. And they have been roaring out of dealerships here since Volkswagen sold the first TotalFlex Golf in March 2003.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1007/p05s01-woam.html

I'm guessing that the U.S. and Europe have provided a cautionary tale that isn't lost on the rest of the world.