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The push for full adoption of alternative fuel is no longer limited to land and water-based vehicles that requires gasoline or diesel fuel. Brazil is currently pushing for early adoption of alternative fuel for jet engines. The proposal aims to encourage the Brazilian airlines to try out alternative jet fuel.

Brazil is an early pioneer of alternative fuel and the world’s second largest producer of ethanol fuel, after the US. Ethonal fuel is surprisingly the same type of alcohol we consume to get drunk, but in this case used as a motor fuel. Brazil’s successful biofuels economy serves as the perfect example to those that are still sceptical with regards to the feasibility and sustainability of alternative energy.

Since 1976, Brazil’s government made it mandatory to mix ethanol with gasoline. In 2003, flexible fuel vehicles were introduced in the market and they became an instant success.  of the first successful biofuels economy.

The proposal to use alternative sources for jet fuel is a joint collaboration from private companies and government. Airbus, Boeing and TAM Airlines are in the forefront of the proposal as well as funding. The project is undertaken by SG Biofuels – a California based company known for their extensive research and development of alternative energy sources.

The early stages of development are already promising as the alternative jet fuel is feasible and can adapt to the demands of the different types of jet engines. The current challenge for the companies that pushes alternative jet fuel is on its commercialization. It’s an impressive technology as it could save the environment but companies have to deal with commercialization process so that each airline could use alternative jet fuel. Although the technology already exists, funding for full commercialization is still limited. This could significantly slow down full adoption of alternative jet fuel in Latin America and worldwide.

Just like Brazil, other Latin American countries are making significant progress in the adoption of alternative and renewable source of biofuels. Mexico is also heavily investing in research and development for alternative source of energy. While Brazil is known for their aggressive development of sugar cane as alternative source of energy, Mexico is also developing the plant “jatropha” as a viable source of fuel.