New comparison of biofuels can facilitate for decision-makers

Is there an optimal choice? A new study compares climate benefits, costs and resource efficiency for twelve biofuels produced from forest residues.

The analysis is developed for decision-makers in industry and politics to facilitate well-founded decisions about, for example, investments and the design of instruments.

The study includes eight drop-in fuels and four single-molecular fuels, all of which meet the EU’s sustainability criteria.

The entire value chain from raw materials for use in cars and trucks has been analyzed and the calculations represent costs for commercially mature technologies.

It is not possible to give a straight answer as to whether drop-in or single-molecule fuels is the preferred strategy for Sweden, as different factors must be weighed against each other before a decision is made. But the analysis shows which biofuels are most promising in terms of climate benefits, costs and resource efficiency.

At present, our vehicles and infrastructure are suitable for drop-in fuels, while the use of single-molecule fuels requires new vehicles and new infrastructure. However, single-molecule fuels are more resource efficient and have a better overall economic performance than drop-in fuels. This could justify the investment required, especially for heavy-duty vehicles.

The project has been carried out within the collaborative research program Renewable transportation fuels and systems, financed jointly by the Swedish Energy Agency and f3 Centre.