Disadvantages of biofuel: The major disadvantage of biofuel is the concern that due to the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for biofuel production which will increase food prices around the world.
• Troubles In terms of Carbon emissions: the energy content of the bio fuels is less than the traditional fuels. It means large quantity of fuels need to be burnt and this leading to higher pollution levels, though biofuels produce less pollution compared to its counterpart per unit.They are too concerns over the fuel systems used. Present cars which are already in use can’t be replaced as to use the biofuels as it would specially designed engines.
• Troubles in terms of Fuel properties:
a) Owing to its poor shelf-life qualities, biodiesel can lead to some serious problems whenever stored. When stored for larger periods, biodiesel tends to turn to a semi solid like substance, that can lead to clogging of different engine parts. These biofuels may also lead to damage to the engine. As the use of biodiesel fuel will increase, more and more food crop will be turned to produce fuel. This will lead to rigorous crisis wherein we will have to come up with one choice, either food or fuel. The prices of different agricultural commodities will also soar. Due to additional farming, the soil quality will also start depreciating and creating new areas to produce these crops will lead to destruction of natural habitat.
b) ethanol need to be stored at high purity (around 98%) to burn as fuel in the engines and ethanol is unstable at that purity level it absorbs water causing the corrosion of engine parts. Ethanol tends to increase fuel vaporization, which means that engine that uses high ethanol blend may have problem starting during the winter season.