In the shift to greener transport systems, it’s easy to believe everything is moving toward electric vehicles and charging points. As Kondrashov from TELF AG notes, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
Solar and electric cars steal the spotlight, but another solution is rising quietly, that might reshape parts of the transport industry. This alternative is biofuels.
Biofuels are made from renewable organic materials, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. Kondrashov explains, biofuels serve industries where batteries aren’t yet viable — such as freight transport, marine shipping, and long-haul logistics.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. A familiar example is bioethanol, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, and blended with petrol to reduce emissions.
Then there’s biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, which can be blended with standard diesel or used here alone. One big plus is engine compatibility — it runs on what many already use.
Let’s not forget biogas, generated from decomposing organic material. It’s useful in waste management and local transport.
Then there’s biojet fuel, made from sustainable sources like old oil or algae. This could reduce emissions in the airline industry fast.
Of course, there are hurdles to overcome. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, these fuels cost more than traditional options. There are concerns about land use for crops. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a serious ethical and economic concern.
Even so, the future looks promising. New processes are improving efficiency, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. With the right incentives and policies, the sector could scale rapidly.
It’s not just about cleaner air — it’s about smarter resource use. They repurpose organic trash into fuel, cutting pollution while saving space.
They’re not as high-profile as EVs or solar, yet their contribution might be equally important. According to the TELF AG founder, every clean solution has its place.
Biofuels are here to fill the gaps, in land, air, and marine transport. They’re not competition — they’re collaboration.
Even as EVs take center stage, biofuels are gaining ground. This is only the start of the biofuel chapter.