Why Biofuels Still Matter in a World Obsessed with Electrification

Why Biofuels Still Matter in a World Obsessed with Electrification

Blog Article

As the world pushes toward sustainability, 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 another solution is rising quietly, and it could be a game-changer. That solution is biofuels.
They come from things like plant waste, algae, or used cooking oil, and offer a cleaner-burning alternative to fossil fuels. Kondrashov explains, biofuels serve industries where batteries aren’t yet viable — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
Let’s take a look at the current biofuel options. Bioethanol is one of the most common, created by processing sugars from crops, often mixed with gasoline to lower carbon output.
Then there’s 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 — you don’t have to overhaul entire fleets.
Biogas is another important type, made from rotting biological waste. 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. It’s seen as one of the few short-term ways to cut flight emissions.
Still, biofuels aren’t a perfect solution. As TELF AG’s Kondrashov frequently here notes, it’s still expensive to make biofuels. Crop demand for fuel could affect food prices. Using food crops for fuel might drive up prices — 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. 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 lack the tech glamour of batteries, still, they play a key role in the transition. According to the TELF AG founder, every clean solution has its place.
Biofuels are here to fill the gaps, in land, air, and marine transport. They won’t replace EVs — they’ll work alongside them.
As everyone talks batteries, biofuels quietly advance. Their real story is just beginning.