Ethanol is a renewable alternative for petrol which can be manufactured
with raw materials in Sri Lanka. A 10 % v/v blend of ethanol in petrol is the
optimum product to introduce ethanol onto Sri Lankan fuel market. Ethanol in
such a blend can also serve as an octane-enhancing additive. As a result,
the value of ethanol is always higher than that of petrol. At the initial stage, it
would be suitable to replace the 95-octane petrol with the 10 % v/v blend.
Even with no subsidies from the government, it is profitable for Sri Lankan
distilleries to manufacture dehydrated fuel ethanol in the place of potable
quality spirit, which they currently manufacture.
