Proalcool successfully reduced the impact of the oil crisis on the Brazilian trade balance and increased the country’s energy self-sufficiency. Nevertheless, when the second oil crisis occurred in 1979, Brazil was still importing the majority of its oil which renewed the government’s focus on Proalcool and led to increased subsidies for both producers and consumers and credit for investment into the sector. The first car running on hydrous ethanol was launched in 1979. Growing concerns about global warming, greenhouse gas emission and energy security led a certain number of developed and developing countries to implement ambitious biofuel targets or mandates as well as other support measures to the biofuel sector.