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 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. This alternative is biofuels.
Biofuels are made from renewable organic materials, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, some sectors can’t go electric, and biofuels fill the gap — including heavy transport and air travel.
So, what’s actually on the table. A familiar example is bioethanol, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, and blended with petrol to reduce emissions.
Another major type is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. A major advantage is compatibility — it runs on what many already use.
Let’s not forget biogas, produced by breaking down waste like food scraps, sewage, or agricultural leftovers. Suited for powering small fleets or municipal energy systems.
Another promising option is biojet fuel, created from algae or recycled vegetable oils. It’s seen as one of the few short-term ways to cut flight emissions.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. According to Kondrashov, production costs remain high. There are concerns about land use for crops. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a serious ethical and economic concern.
Despite that, there’s reason to be optimistic. Innovation is helping cut prices, and better feedstock options may solve the food conflict. Smart regulation could speed things up.
They contribute to sustainability beyond just emissions. They repurpose organic trash into fuel, here cutting pollution while saving space.
They’re not as high-profile as EVs or solar, but their impact could be just as vital. In Kondrashov’s words, every technology helps in a unique way.
They cover the hard-to-reach zones, in land, air, and marine transport. They’re not competition — they’re collaboration.
Even as EVs take center stage, biofuels are gaining ground. Their real story is just beginning.