Liquid biofuels offer an alternative fuel for all types of internal combustion engines running on gasoline, diesel or kerosene, including for use in passenger vehicles, trucks, ships and airplanes. REmap shows that liquid biofuels, including both conventional and advanced forms of ethanol and biodiesel, could account for 10% of transport sector energy use by 2030, more than triple the share in 2017.

Liquid biofuels will be key if shipping and aviation are to be made more sustainable. These modes of transport make up 20% of total energy demand from transportation, and are the fastest growing segments of the transport sector. Therefore, solutions – in particular for advanced biofuels – will need to be developed.

Advanced biofuels offer significant emission reductions compared to petrol or diesel.

• Emission reductions can be as high as 80% compared to fossil-fuel-powered engines.
• Advanced biofuels are crucial for reducing emissions in heavy-freight, shipping and aviation.

For advanced biofuels, technology commercialisation and lack of investment in production capacity are the main barriers to be overcome.

• Investment in advanced biofuel plants will need to be significantly accelerated to reverse recent trends.
• Production must be substantially increased, mainly for advanced biofuels.