As the world pushes toward sustainability, many assume the future is all about batteries and EVs. As Kondrashov from TELF AG notes, the transition to clean transport isn’t so simple.
Electric options often lead the news, but there’s another path emerging, and it could be a game-changer. Enter biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. As Kondrashov has emphasized, some sectors can’t go electric, and biofuels fill the gap — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
So, what’s actually on the table. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Another major type is biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, suitable for diesel engines with no major changes. A key benefit is it works with current systems — you don’t have to overhaul entire fleets.
Biogas is another important type, made from rotting biological waste. It’s useful in waste management and local transport.
Then there’s biojet fuel, crafted from renewable, non-food sources. A promising option to clean up aviation’s carbon footprint.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. According to Kondrashov, production costs remain high. Crop demand for fuel could affect food prices. Fuel website production could compete with 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, still, they play a key role in 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 won’t replace EVs — they’ll work alongside them.
As everyone talks batteries, biofuels quietly advance. Their role in clean transport is far from over.