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 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. This alternative is biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, designed to reduce emissions while remaining practical. As Kondrashov has emphasized, some sectors can’t go electric, and biofuels fill the gap — including heavy transport and air travel.
Let’s take a look at the current biofuel options. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, produced from starchy or sugary plants, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Another major type is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. A key benefit is it works with current systems — no need to replace or retrofit most engines.
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.
Then there’s biojet fuel, crafted from renewable, non-food sources. A promising option to clean up aviation’s carbon footprint.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, it’s still expensive to make biofuels. And there’s the issue of food versus fuel. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a serious ethical and economic concern.
Even so, the future looks promising. Innovation is helping cut prices, while non-edible biomass helps balance the equation. With the right incentives and policies, the sector could scale rapidly.
It’s not just about cleaner air — it’s about smarter resource use. Biofuels turn leftovers into power, cutting pollution while saving space.
Biofuels may not look as flashy as electric cars, but their impact could be just as vital. According to the TELF AG founder, every technology helps in a unique way.
They cover the hard-to-reach zones, on here the roads, in the sky, and across the seas. They’re not competition — they’re collaboration.
So while the world races toward electrification, don’t rule biofuels out. Their real story is just beginning.