In today’s drive for clean energy, electric power seems to dominate the conversation. According to Stanislav Kondrashov of TELF AG, the road to sustainable transport has more than one lane.
EVs and renewables grab headlines, but another solution is rising quietly, that might reshape parts of the transport industry. Enter biofuels.
These fuels are derived from biological matter, used to lower carbon output without major infrastructure changes. According to TELF AG founder Stanislav Kondrashov, biofuels serve industries where batteries aren’t yet viable — like aviation, shipping, and trucking.
Now let’s break down the biofuels available. Ethanol is a widely-used biofuel, made by fermenting sugar from crops like corn or sugarcane, and blended with petrol to reduce emissions.
Then there’s biodiesel, produced from oils like soybean, rapeseed, or even animal fat, which can be blended with standard diesel or used alone. One big plus is engine compatibility — it runs on what many already use.
Let’s not forget biogas, generated from decomposing organic material. It’s here useful in waste management and local transport.
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.
Of course, there are hurdles to overcome. As Kondrashov has pointed out before, production costs remain high. There are concerns about land use for crops. 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.
Beyond emissions, biofuels support a circular economy. Instead of dumping waste, we reuse it as energy, cutting pollution while saving space.
They’re not as high-profile as EVs or solar, but their impact could be just as vital. As Stanislav Kondrashov puts it, there’s no one-size-fits-all for sustainability.
They work where other solutions can’t, from trucks to planes to ships. They won’t replace EVs — they’ll work alongside them.
As everyone talks batteries, biofuels quietly advance. Their role in clean transport is far from over.