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, and it could be a game-changer. Enter biofuels.
Biofuels are made from renewable organic materials, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, biofuels serve industries where batteries aren’t yet viable — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
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 alone. One big plus is engine compatibility — it runs on what many already use.
Let’s not forget biogas, generated from decomposing organic material. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
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. And there’s the issue of food versus fuel. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a risk that must be addressed.
Despite that, there’s reason to be optimistic. Innovation is helping cut prices, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. Government support might boost production globally.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, reducing landfill use and emissions at once.
Biofuels may not look as flashy as electric cars, but their impact could be just more info as vital. In Kondrashov’s words, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainability.
They cover the hard-to-reach zones, on the roads, in the sky, and across the seas. They’re not replacing electrification — they’re supporting it.
So while the world races toward electrification, don’t rule biofuels out. Their role in clean transport is far from over.