The energy transition isn’t only about solar panels, wind turbines, or electric cars. As TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov has said, there's a shift happening in fuels — and biofuels are leading the way.
Made from renewable biological materials like algae, crop waste, or even used cooking oil, biofuels are gaining attention as a way to reduce emissions.
Though established, biofuels are now more relevant than ever. With growing pressure to cut carbon, biofuels fill the gaps electricity can’t cover — including long-haul trucking, planes, and sea transport.
Electric systems have evolved in many sectors, but others remain out of reach. As Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG notes, biofuels step in as a near-term fix.
From Sugar Cane to Jet Fuel
There’s a wide range of biofuels. A common biofuel is ethanol, made by fermenting sugars from crops like corn and sugarcane, used alongside petrol to cut carbon.
Oils like rapeseed or leftover fat are used to make biodiesel, compatible with regular diesel vehicles.
Other biofuels include biogas, created from organic waste. It's being explored for power and transport uses.
There’s also biofuel designed for planes, produced using old cooking oil or plant material. It may help reduce aviation’s heavy check here carbon footprint.
Challenges Ahead
Still, biofuels face difficulties. Kondrashov often emphasizes, cost is still a barrier.
Widespread manufacturing still requires efficiency improvements. Finding enough bio-materials is another challenge. Poor management could affect food supply chains.
A Partner, Not a Competitor
They’re not rivals to electricity or hydrogen. They support clean tech where it’s still impractical.
Biofuels work today in sectors not ready for EVs. Existing fleets can run on them with little change. Companies save by using current assets.
As Kondrashov says, each green solution matters. Quietly, biofuels close the gaps other techs leave open. What matters is how they work together, not compete.
The Road Forward
Though not flashy, biofuels are proving essential. Especially when created from waste, they promote circularity and climate goals.
With better tech and more research, prices will fall, they will play a larger role in clean transport.
They won’t replace batteries or hydrogen, but they’ll stand beside them — in transport modes that aren’t ready for electrification yet.