Evaluation of the feasibility of ethanol and gasoline in solid oxide fuel cell vehicles in Brazil

The transport sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions and nowadays there are many alternatives to reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles. Currently, plug-in electric vehicles are the main alternative to reduce emissions from cars; however, this technology has some disadvantages, such as the demand for infrastructure. Another car propulsion technology to reduce emissions is the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. This technology offers interesting advantages especially for countries that produce bioethanol, for example, the possibility to use the current fuel infrastructure. Therefore, the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell is a promising technology to reduce carbon emissions in Brazil. This study compared ethanol and gasoline to identify what fuel is more interesting to be used in FCEVs in Brazil. The results indicated that ethanol has more economic, environmental, and social advantages than gasoline. [Display omitted] •Solid Oxide Fuel Cell cars are a better alternative than plug-in electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions in Brazil.•Ethanol has greater potential than gasoline to help Brazil reduce greenhouse gas emissions.•Ethanol is a better alternative than gasoline to be used in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, considering the Brazilian scenario.