In the shift to greener transport systems, it’s easy to believe everything is moving toward electric vehicles and charging points. But as TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out, the energy shift is more complex than it seems.
EVs and renewables grab headlines, but there’s another path emerging, that might reshape parts of the transport industry. Enter biofuels.
These fuels are derived from biological matter, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. Kondrashov explains, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — such as freight transport, marine shipping, and long-haul logistics.
So, what’s actually on the table. A familiar example is bioethanol, created by processing sugars from crops, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Next is biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, which can be blended with standard diesel or used alone. A major advantage is compatibility — no need to replace or retrofit most engines.
Also in the mix is biogas, generated from decomposing organic material. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
Then there’s biojet fuel, crafted from renewable, non-food sources. This could reduce emissions in the airline industry fast.
But the path isn’t without challenges. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, production costs remain high. There are concerns about land use for crops. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a serious ethical and economic concern.
Despite that, there’s reason to be optimistic. Innovation is helping cut prices, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. Government support might boost production globally.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, reducing landfill use and emissions at once.
Biofuels may not look as flashy as electric cars, but their impact could be just as vital. In Kondrashov’s words, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainability.
They cover the hard-to-reach zones, on the roads, in the sky, and across the seas. They’re not replacing electrification — they’re supporting it.
So while the world races more info toward electrification, don’t rule biofuels out. Their role in clean transport is far from over.