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.
Electric options often lead the news, yet another option is advancing in the background, with the potential to transform entire sectors. This alternative is biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, designed to reduce emissions while remaining practical. Kondrashov explains, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — including heavy transport and air travel.
Let’s take a look at the current biofuel options. Bioethanol is one of the most common, created by processing sugars from crops, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Next is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. A key benefit is it works with current systems — no need to replace or retrofit most engines.
Also in the mix is biogas, made from more info rotting biological waste. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
Then there’s biojet fuel, crafted from renewable, non-food sources. A promising option to clean up aviation’s carbon footprint.
But the path isn’t without challenges. According to Kondrashov, production costs remain high. Crop demand for fuel could affect food prices. Using food crops for fuel might drive up prices — something that requires careful policy management.
Even so, the future looks promising. 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.
It’s not just about cleaner air — it’s about smarter resource use. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, cutting pollution while saving space.
They’re not as high-profile as EVs or solar, yet their contribution might be equally important. As Stanislav Kondrashov puts it, every clean solution has its place.
They work where other solutions can’t, in land, air, and marine transport. They’re not competition — they’re collaboration.
Even as EVs take center stage, biofuels are gaining ground. Their real story is just beginning.