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Through a market analysis, PETROBRAS identified an opportunity to launch a new product dedicated to diesel boats market. This paper describes the activities performed by PETROBRAS research center (CENPES) during the new diesel development: new or improved methodologies to ensure reliable comparative performance, fuel consumption and smoke emissions analysis, with appropriate precision to elucidate differences between the new fuel and the conventional marine diesel. Performance tests were conducted by using radar monitoring. For fuel consumption, constant engine speed tests were made, with fuel flow measurement and acquisition. Smoke tests were performed using a total flow smokemeter, installed directly on the exhaust gas pipe. Results showed that, because of its special characteristics, the new diesel allows performance gains up to 6% and smoke emissions reduction up to 83%. Fuel consumption remains in the same level of regular marine diesel.

Over the last few years, a growth of the Brazilian light duty vehicle fleet converted to Natural Gas (NG) has been observed. This is mainly due to license tax reductions on NG vehicles; the increase of the NG distribution around the country and attractive price difference between NG and other fuels. The Brazilian CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) light-duty vehicle fleet has currently reached more than 1,4 million units, being the 2nd largest in the World. ANP (Brazilian National Petroleum Agency) published in 2002 Resolution no104, which defines the NG specification for automotive application. The IBAMA (Brazilian Institute for Environment and Natural Renewable Resources) published in 2002 Resolution no 291, which defines ways for the environmental certification of the NG conversion kits.

In the last years, reasons such as oil price increase, world concern for renewable energy use and environmental demand for low pollutant emission, create a favorable scenery for road vehicles alternative fuel development. This paper will present a worldwide overview of the DME (Dimethyl-Ether) use as an alternative diesel fuel for automotive applications. It will be discussed as well the advantages and disadvantages of this product, and the environmental and technological challenges that must be overcome for adequate use of this fuel on road vehicles.