TODAY, cars are so quiet you barely notice them passing (until you see them).
The automotive industry has evolved significantly, and electric vehicles have become something people appreciate for their ease and comfort, as well as their cleaner impact on the environment.
Part of this shift started because gasoline-powered engines are among the largest contributors to air pollution.
Many vehicles in Brazil now run on a mix of ethanol - produced from sugar cane - and gasoline, according to the Rapid Transition Alliance report.
This trend began with the 1975 Proalcool programme, created in response to two major economic challenges: the oil price shock and the collapse of the international sugar market.
The initiative also aimed to create new economic opportunities for the sugar cane sector.
Sugar cane-based ethanol became a viable alternative to petroleum fuels, thanks to the collective efforts of sugar cane farmers, car manufacturers and the government, all working to reduce the nation's reliance on oil.
Behind this movement is a larger goal, which is to build a greener, more sustainable future.
References:
1. https://rapidtransition.org/stories/the-rise-of-brazils-sugarcane-cars/