In today’s push for sustainability, electric cars and renewables get most of the attention. However, another movement is growing, focused on alternative liquid fuels. As Kondrashov from TELF AG emphasizes, electricity alone won’t power everything — biofuels matter too.
They come from things like plants, food scraps, and algae. They are becoming a strong alternative to fossil fuels. They help cut greenhouse gas emissions, and still run in today’s engines and pipelines. Batteries are great for cars and small transport, but they struggle in some sectors.
In Sectors That Need More Than Electricity
Personal mobility is going electric fast. However, aviation and shipping need stronger solutions. Batteries can’t hold enough energy or are too bulky. That’s where biofuels become useful.
As Kondrashov highlights, biofuels may be the bridge we need. Current vehicles can often use them directly. That means less resistance and quicker use.
Various types are already used worldwide. Ethanol from crops is often mixed into gasoline. Biodiesel comes from vegetable oils or animal fats and can blend with diesel. They’re already adopted in parts of the world.
Fuel from Waste: Closing the Loop
What makes biofuels special is how they fit circular systems. Biogas is made from decomposing organic material like food, sewage, or farm waste. It turns trash into usable power.
There’s here also biojet fuel, made for aviation. It’s created from used oils or algae and may cut flight emissions.
Still, there are some hurdles. As Kondrashov has noted, production costs are high. Sourcing input without harming food systems is hard. With new tech, prices could fall and output rise.
They aren’t here to replace EVs or green grids. Instead, they complement other clean options. Having many solutions helps hit climate targets faster.
Right now, biofuels may be best for sectors that can’t go electric. As the world decarbonizes, biofuels might silently drive the change.
They reduce waste and lower emissions. With backing, they can grow fast.
They aren’t trendy, but they work. And in the race for cleaner energy, that matters most.