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.

Biogas for road vehicles: Technology brief

Switching to biogas as vehicle fuel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector between 60% and 80% compared to fossil-based fuels like gasoline and diesel.

• March 2017
• |
• Innovation, Transport
• |
• English
• |
• Germany, Sweden

Recent Publications

Advanced biofuels: What holds them back?

Advanced liquid biofuels are important for low-carbon transport development. A survey of i...

Hydrogen: A renewable energy perspective

This paper examines the potential of hydrogen fuel for hard-to-decarbonise energy uses, in...

Navigating the way to a renewable future: Solutions to decarbonise shipping

This report explores the impact of maritime shipping on carbon-dioxide emis...

Innovation Outlook: Smart charging for electric vehicles

This outlook shows how through smart charging EV batteries can help to integrate high shar...

More

Related Content

Moving to a Cleaner Future

09 December 2019 | Articles

New Report Identifies Clean Energy Options for Global Shipping Industry

31 October 2019 | Articles

High-level Meeting in Luxembourg Takes Electromobility to Next Level

29 October 2019 | Articles