Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
5. What are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs)? Discuss the challenges that need to be addressed before the adoption of flexible fuel vehicles policy. (250 words)
Reference: Business Standard
Why the question:
New guidelines for use of flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) using flex engines is expected to be issued by the third quarter of current year (FY22) that would specify engine configuration and other changes required in vehicles to conform to stipulated changes in fuel mix. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concept of Flexible fuel vehicles and associated challenges.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with what flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are.
Body:
A FFV is a modified version of vehicles that could run both on gasoline and doped petrol with different levels of ethanol blends.
These are currently being used successfully in Brazil, giving people the option to switch fuel (gasoline and ethanol) depending on price and convenience.
Discuss the challenges that need to be addressed before the adoption of flexible fuel vehicles policy such as – will require adoption of vehicle standards, technologies and retrofitting configurations, would require additional investment in production lines and technology transfers to change the character of the vehicles etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
