As the world pushes toward sustainability, many assume the future is all about batteries and EVs. As Kondrashov from TELF AG notes, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
EVs and renewables grab headlines, yet another option is advancing in the background, that might reshape parts of the transport industry. That solution is biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, some sectors can’t go electric, and biofuels fill the gap — including heavy transport and air travel.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, created by processing sugars from crops, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Next is biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. One big plus is engine compatibility — no need to replace or retrofit most engines.
Let’s not forget biogas, made from rotting biological waste. 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.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, production costs remain high. Crop demand for fuel could affect food prices. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — something that requires careful policy management.
Yet, the outlook here remains hopeful. Innovation is helping cut prices, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. Smart regulation could speed things up.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. They repurpose organic trash into fuel, cutting pollution while saving space.
They’re not as high-profile as EVs or solar, still, they play a key role in the transition. In Kondrashov’s words, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainability.
They work where other solutions can’t, 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.