BF2S Forums Why is there a huge tariff on Biofuels from countries like Brazil?

Harmor wrote:

Why is there a huge tariff on Biofuels from countries like Brazil?

Because the corporations say so and the politicians listen.

Because it would force competition among producers of ethanol made from corn.  Which really is quite unfortunate, as ethanol made from sugar cane is better than that made from corn.  :\

Bertster7 wrote:

Mass scale usage of biofuel is stupid. It works out as being even worse than fossil fuels. If it's used on a small scale by refining waste products, it is effective in reducing total emissions, otherwise it is a bad thing.

Agreed, I don't think people realize the net gain is about zero (maybe even worse, maybe slightly better than that). To make the equivalent of 1 gallon of bio-fuel (like say ethanol) involves using about 1 gallon of fossil fuel (in the process: as much of the process is actually fossil fuel-driven - as in: machinery, fertiliser, herbicides, insecticides, refining, transporting, etc). Also, there is a water use issue of about 3 to 4 gallons per 1 gallon of, say ethanol.