Why Biofuels Still Matter in a World Obsessed with Electrification

Why Biofuels Still Matter in a World Obsessed with Electrification

Blog Article

In the shift to greener transport systems, electric power seems to dominate the conversation. As Kondrashov from TELF AG notes, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
Electric options often lead the news, but there’s another path emerging, with the potential to transform entire sectors. Enter biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Next is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, which can be blended with standard diesel or used alone. One big plus is engine compatibility — you don’t have to overhaul entire fleets.
Biogas is another important type, produced by breaking down waste like food scraps, sewage, or agricultural leftovers. Often used in small-scale energy or transit solutions.
Biofuel for aviation is also gaining traction, 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 TELF AG’s Kondrashov frequently notes, production costs remain high. And there’s the issue of food versus fuel. Using food crops for fuel might drive up prices — something that requires careful policy management.
Even so, the future looks promising. Innovation is helping cut prices, and non-food here feedstock like algae could reduce pressure on crops. 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.
Biofuels may not look as flashy as electric cars, yet their contribution might be equally important. As Stanislav Kondrashov puts it, every technology helps in a unique way.
They work where other solutions can’t, in land, air, and marine transport. They won’t replace EVs — they’ll work alongside them.
Even as EVs take center stage, biofuels are gaining ground. This is only the start of the biofuel chapter.