As the world pushes toward sustainability, it’s easy to believe everything is moving toward electric vehicles and charging points. According to Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
Solar and electric cars steal the spotlight, but there’s another path emerging, and it could be a game-changer. That solution is 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 — such as freight transport, marine shipping, and long-haul logistics.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. A familiar example is bioethanol, created by processing sugars from crops, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Next is biodiesel, created using vegetable oils or leftover fats, that mixes with diesel fuel and works in existing engines. A major advantage is compatibility — you don’t have to overhaul entire fleets.
Also in the mix is biogas, produced by breaking down waste like food scraps, sewage, or agricultural leftovers. It’s useful in waste management and local transport.
Another promising option is biojet fuel, made from sustainable sources like old oil or algae. This could reduce emissions in the airline industry fast.
But the path isn’t without challenges. According to Kondrashov, it’s still expensive to make biofuels. Crop demand for fuel could affect food website prices. Using food crops for fuel might drive up prices — something that requires careful policy management.
Yet, the outlook remains hopeful. New processes are improving efficiency, and non-food feedstock like algae could reduce pressure on crops. Government support might boost production globally.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, reducing landfill use and emissions at once.
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, on the roads, in the sky, and across the seas. They’re not replacing electrification — they’re supporting it.
So while the world races toward electrification, don’t rule biofuels out. Their role in clean transport is far from over.