Biofuels: Key lever for transport decarbonisation, according to Fuels Europe

In its 2050 vision, presented a few days ago, the fossil fuels industry highlighted an analysis showing that “biofuels” will be central in the transition towards a low carbon transport Europe with the potential to achieve equivalent GHG savings at lower costs for the citizens and for public spending. 
According to Fuels Europe’s “Vision 2050” a full electricity scenario would call for 630 billion EUR investments by 2050 in infrastructures for charging, as well as a 66 billion EUR per year loss for public budgets due to lower tax collection. Uncertainty should be added in terms of the availability of natural resources (Lithium, Cobalt & Nickel) needed to achieve such a 100% electric scenario.The study shows that a more realistic scenario – 50% electric / 50% sustainable liquid fuels – would have the same GHG savings impact with half the infrastructure cost and tax losses. Sustainable liquid fuels, including biofuels, have thus a bright future ahead to achieve a real decarbonisation of transport in Europe.
In this context, the capacity of the EU agricultural sector to provide sustainable raw materials should be mobilised. The transition towards a 100% biofuels used internal combustion engine should be encouraged via a strong mandate for both 1st and 2nd generation biofuels based on a proper assessment of the sustainability of the whole supply chain for feedstocks.