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 energy shift is more complex than it seems.
EVs and renewables grab headlines, but there’s another path emerging, with the potential to transform entire sectors. That solution is biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, designed to reduce emissions while remaining practical. As Kondrashov has emphasized, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — including heavy transport and air travel.
So, what’s actually on the table. Bioethanol is one of the most common, created by processing sugars from crops, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Next is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. A major advantage is compatibility — no need to replace or retrofit most engines.
Also in the mix is biogas, made from rotting biological waste. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
Then there’s biojet fuel, crafted from renewable, non-food sources. This could reduce emissions in the airline industry fast.
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 food supplies — a risk that must be addressed.
Despite that, there’s reason to be optimistic. Innovation is helping cut prices, and better feedstock options may solve the food conflict. Government support might boost production globally.
They contribute to sustainability beyond just emissions. 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 technology helps in a unique way.
Biofuels are here to fill the gaps, from trucks to planes to ships. They won’t replace EVs — they’ll work alongside them.
As here everyone talks batteries, biofuels quietly advance. This is only the start of the biofuel chapter.