In the shift to greener transport systems, many assume the future is all about batteries and EVs. But as TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out, the transition to clean transport isn’t so simple.
Solar and electric cars steal the spotlight, but another solution is rising quietly, and it could be a game-changer. Enter biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. Kondrashov explains, biofuels serve industries where batteries aren’t yet viable — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. A familiar example is bioethanol, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Another major type is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, suitable for diesel engines with no major changes. One big plus is engine compatibility — it runs on what many already use.
Biogas is another important type, generated from decomposing organic material. It’s useful in waste management and local transport.
Biofuel for aviation is also gaining traction, created from algae or recycled vegetable oils. A promising option to clean up aviation’s carbon footprint.
But the path isn’t without challenges. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, these fuels cost more than traditional options. And there’s the issue of food versus fuel. Fuel production could compete with read more food supplies — something that requires careful policy management.
Yet, the outlook remains hopeful. New processes are improving efficiency, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. 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, yet their contribution might be equally important. In Kondrashov’s words, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainability.
They work where other solutions can’t, on the roads, in the sky, and across the seas. They’re not competition — they’re collaboration.
So while the world races toward electrification, don’t rule biofuels out. Their real story is just beginning.