The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) made significant strides in promoting sustainable transportation, organizing a pivotal conference on ethanol use in Taiwan’s transportation sector. Highlighting the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between USGC and Chinese Petroleum Corp Taiwan (CPC), Taiwan's largest state-owned oil refinery. The MOU aims to foster research and technical exchange initiatives to potentially introduce E10 gasoline—blended with 10 percent ethanol—across Taiwan.
Michael Lu, USGC Director in Taiwan, emphasized the gradual shift in government perspective, acknowledging that electric vehicles alone will not fulfill Taiwan's 2050 net-zero ambitions. This acknowledgment has opened doors for expanded biofuel use, which could alleviate consumer concerns about ethanol's impact on engines and address logistical challenges related to ethanol importation and infrastructure.
The conference featured insights from various experts, including USGC Regional Ethanol Consultant Kent Yeo and SAF Consultant Mark Ingebretson, who discussed the benefits and availability of U.S. ethanol, as well as advancements in alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology. Erich Kuss, AIT Ag Section Chief and Acting Deputy Director, and Secretary General Kung Ming-Hsin also addressed the gathering, highlighting Taiwan's commitment to reducing carbon emissions through vehicle electrification and alternative fuels like ethanol.
Yeo praised Taiwan’s readiness to adopt higher ethanol blending rates, citing the country's robust oil refining and fuel handling capabilities as foundational strengths that could accelerate ethanol adoption. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts with AIT and reiterated USGC's commitment to supporting Taiwan's decarbonization efforts through ongoing technical and policy advisory.
This partnership marks a significant step toward integrating more sustainable practices in Taiwan’s transportation sector, promising to enhance both environmental and economic landscapes.
