China automaker develops engine for new ethanol type

Dongfeng Motor Corporation, one of China's largest auto makers, has developed technology to use a new type of ethanol as fuel in cars.

The new technology could produce combustible gas, mainly hydrogen, from hydrous ethanol that contained 65 percent ethanol. The present ethanol-fuelled vehicles need pure ethanol blended with gas, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said.

Experts said producing 65 percent ethanol could save up to 60 percent of energy compared with producing the same amount of pure ethanol, as dehydration is energy-consuming.

The use of hydrous ethanol, unlike some synthetic fuels that required adapted engines, only needs an additional device to be fixed on present engines. Thus, it is more likely to be accepted by consumers.

The company planned to set up an ethanol-fuelled automobile plant by the end of 2008. This included a design and test centre as well as an assembly plant for ethanol engines.

The plant is expected to turn out a limited number of ethanol-driven car by the end of 2008. MalaysiaSun.com