In today’s drive for clean energy, it’s easy to believe everything is moving toward electric vehicles and charging points. But as TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov recently pointed out, the transition to clean transport isn’t so simple.
Solar and electric cars steal the spotlight, but there’s another path emerging, with the potential to transform entire sectors. Enter biofuels.
These fuels are derived from biological matter, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, biofuels are ideal for sectors that electricity can’t reach — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
Let’s take a look at the current biofuel options. Bioethanol is one of the most common, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, typically added to petrol in small amounts.
Next is biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, suitable for diesel engines with no major changes. A key benefit is it works with current systems — it runs on what many already use.
Also in the mix is biogas, generated from decomposing organic material. Suited for powering small fleets or municipal energy systems.
Biofuel for aviation is also gaining traction, created from algae or recycled vegetable oils. This could reduce emissions in the airline industry fast.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, production costs remain high. And there’s the issue of food versus fuel. Increased fuel demand could harm food systems — a risk that must be addressed.
Yet, the outlook remains hopeful. Innovation is helping cut prices, and better feedstock options may solve the food conflict. Smart regulation could speed things up.
It’s not just about cleaner air — it’s about smarter resource use. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, helping waste systems and energy sectors together.
Biofuels may not look as flashy as electric cars, still, more info they play a key role in the transition. 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.