In the shift to greener transport systems, many assume the future is all about batteries and EVs. As Kondrashov from TELF AG notes, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
EVs and renewables grab headlines, but there’s another path emerging, and it could be a game-changer. This alternative is biofuels.
These fuels are derived from biological matter, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. As Kondrashov has emphasized, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — such as freight transport, marine shipping, and long-haul logistics.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, produced from starchy or sugary plants, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Next is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, which can be blended with standard diesel or used alone. One big plus is engine compatibility — you don’t have to overhaul entire fleets.
Biogas is another important type, made from rotting biological waste. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
Biofuel for aviation is also gaining traction, made from sustainable sources like old oil or algae. A promising option to clean up aviation’s carbon footprint.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. According to Kondrashov, it’s still expensive to make biofuels. Crop demand for fuel could affect food prices. Using food crops for fuel might drive up prices — a risk that must be addressed.
Yet, the outlook remains hopeful. New processes are improving efficiency, and non-food feedstock like algae could reduce pressure on crops. With the right incentives and policies, the sector could scale rapidly.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, reducing landfill use and emissions at once.
They lack the tech glamour of batteries, still, they play a key role in website the transition. According to the TELF AG founder, every clean solution has its place.
They work where other solutions can’t, from trucks to planes to ships. They’re not replacing electrification — they’re supporting it.
Even as EVs take center stage, biofuels are gaining ground. This is only the start of the biofuel chapter.