What are the limitations of using ethanol in cold climates?

Ethanol in cold climates can cause issues with starting the engine and fuel system damage.

Ethanol, a type of alcohol fuel, is often used as an additive in petrol to reduce carbon emissions. However, in cold climates, it can present several challenges. One of the main issues is that ethanol can make it difficult to start the engine. This is because ethanol has a higher evaporation point than petrol, meaning it requires more heat to turn into a vapour. In cold weather, this can mean that the engine struggles to start, as the ethanol does not evaporate quickly enough to ignite properly.

Another problem with using ethanol in cold climates is that it can cause damage to the fuel system. Ethanol is a solvent, which means it can dissolve certain materials. This can lead to the degradation of parts of the fuel system, such as seals and gaskets, particularly in older vehicles not designed to handle ethanol fuels. Over time, this can lead to leaks and other mechanical issues.

Furthermore, ethanol has a tendency to absorb water from the atmosphere. In cold climates, this can lead to phase separation, where the ethanol and water mixture separates from the petrol. This can cause the engine to run on a fuel mixture that is too rich in ethanol, which can lead to poor performance and potential engine damage.

Lastly, ethanol contains less energy per litre than petrol. This means that a car running on ethanol will typically have a lower fuel economy than one running on petrol. In cold climates, where engines may need to work harder to overcome the effects of the cold, this reduced fuel economy can be particularly noticeable.