Biofuels have been touted as a way to partially replace Russian oil without relying on foreign fossil fuel imports, as both ethanol and biodiesel can be blended with petrol and diesel to bulk up supplies.
In this special report, EURACTIV explores biofuels’ role in Europe’s liquid energy mix.
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Can biofuels help solve Europe’s Russian oil dilemma?
The biofuels industry has encouraged policymakers to consider ethanol and biodiesel as a green means to partially reduce Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels – a claim contested by some NGOs.
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Sales of high-blend ethanol surge in France amid rising fuel prices
Record fuel prices seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have led cost-conscious motorists to pivot towards alternative fuel sources, with sales of E85 – a mixture of petrol and up to 85% bioethanol – rising significantly in France.
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EU ethanol companies produced more animal feed than fuel last year
The production of bioethanol in Europe has led to greater yields of animal fodder than fuel in 2021, new figures show – further evidence that biofuels can also contribute to food stability, according to the industry.
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Biofuels to play ‘a big role’ in reducing EU dependency on Russian fossil fuels: MEP
Renewable biofuels have been touted as a means to partially replace embargoed Russian oil, but have proven controversial. To discuss the role of biofuels in plugging Europe’s oil supply gap, EURACTIV spoke with MEP Henna Virkkunen.
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Mind the Gap: Unreasonably capping sustainable biofuels opens the door for more imported oil
Lawmakers are in the difficult final stages of resetting EU renewable energy policy for 2030 – and the outcome will have major implications not just for the future of the sustainable biofuels sector but also for Europe’s ability to meet …