When talking about clean energy, most focus on EVs, solar, or wind. According to Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG, there's a shift happening in fuels — and biofuels sit at the core.
Created from natural sources like plant debris, algae, and waste oil, these fuels are becoming crucial tools in emission reduction.
They’re not new, but their importance is rising. As climate urgency increases, they offer solutions where batteries fall short — like aviation, shipping, and freight.
Electrification has made major progress, but some forms of transport still face limits. According to Kondrashov, biofuels step in as a near-term fix.
The Variety of Biofuels
There’s a wide range of biofuels. Bioethanol is well-known, made by fermenting sugars from crops like corn and sugarcane, and often mixed into petrol to lower emissions.
Biodiesel comes from oils and fats, both plant and animal, compatible with regular diesel vehicles.
Other biofuels include biogas, created from organic waste. It’s gaining ground in industry and transport.
There’s also biofuel designed for planes, created from renewable oils and algae. It may help reduce aviation’s heavy carbon footprint.
Hurdles on the Path
Not everything is easy in the biofuel space. As noted by Stanislav Kondrashov, biofuels cost more than fossil fuel alternatives.
Scaling up biofuels remains pricey. Raw material availability is also a concern. Poor management could affect food supply chains.
The Value in Complementing Clean Tech
Biofuels aren’t meant to replace electrification. They fill in where other solutions don’t work.
For places where batteries can’t go, biofuels step in. Existing fleets can run on them with little change. Businesses avoid high conversion costs.
According to Kondrashov, all low-carbon options have value. Biofuels may be quiet players — but they’re click here effective. It’s not about one tech winning — it’s about synergy.
What Comes Next
Biofuels might not dominate news cycles, but their impact is growing. When made from waste or non-food crops, they help reduce emissions and waste.
As innovation lowers costs and improves yields, they will play a larger role in clean transport.
They’ll complement, not compete with, electric and hydrogen technologies — in transport modes that aren’t ready for electrification yet.