The solution of advanced biofuels as opposed to the use of electric cars (part 1)

Recent article “The ‘dirty’ secrets of clean electric vehicles”, by Tilak Doshi, published in Forbes in August, highlighted the importance of putting a magnifying glass on the adoption of electric cars as an alternative to replace fossil diesel powered ones as a solution green and clean.

I remembered the article during my participation, on September 1, at the VI Symposium on Energy Efficiency, Emissions and Biofuels, promoted by the Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering (AEA). The purpose of the event was to enable a forum for discussions through lectures and debates on the paths we need to take in order to implement global technologies with a positive impact on our energy matrix with an increasing participation of biofuels.

The theme of electric vehicles gained great strength during the pandemic and is highly valued by companies in the sector. It has become commonplace in the international media to join political groups and “experts”, who indicate that renewable energies such as wind, solar and electric vehicles would be the main path towards the goal of zero carbon by 2050.

A closer look at the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the most important components of the electric vehicle, will find that they critically depend on the minerals cobalt, graphite, lithium and manganese. When checking the entire production chain, a recent report from the United Nations (UN) draws attention that warns that the raw materials used in electric car batteries are highly concentrated in a small number of countries where environmental and labor regulations are weak or nonexistent.

Commitment to the certification of the entire chain

I would like to highlight a parallel with the biofuel production process. In producing countries, there are several mechanisms adopted to assess, qualify, certify and inspect each link in the production chain, from the production of raw materials to distribution, taking into account environmental, social and labor legislation aspects.

In the case of electric cars, it is necessary to ask where is the certification of the origin of the mineral raw materials used to make the batteries, their means of extraction, their sustainability criteria and the conditions of employment relationship, as is already done for biofuels. We need to establish common standards for zero emission commitment across the chain and with social responsibility.

Let’s stimulate a reflection on biofuels

To speak at this symposium of the Brazilian Association of Automotive Engineering in Brazil about the future of biofuel for the efficiency and sustainability of the energy model was an honor for me. We must increasingly encourage a direct channel with specialists and representatives of government agencies, manufacturers of automotive vehicles, auto parts, additive producers, equipment suppliers in the automotive sector, manufacturers of mopeds, fuel producing companies and distributors, academics and students.

With the theme “Sustainable Mobility: Opportunities for Brazilian Engineering”, I presented a brief scenario with first generation biofuels (biodiesel) and second generation (HVO, SPK and Green Naphatha). They will compose a sustainable solution for our mobility future, reducing CO2 emissions in all forms of transport.

On the occasion, I shared my vision on advanced biofuels in order to awaken the reflection of this very select public on the importance of this solution to meet the environmental challenges of today and the future, with a new energy matrix, and with increasingly more biofuels.

As I highlighted in the article Hybrid vehicles that use biofuels are the best solution for passenger transport, I also stressed the importance of adopting this solution model. The hybrid vehicle has electric traction and is powered by two sources of energy – battery bank and diesel or biofuel motor-generator set – that can operate together or independently.

Are electric cars the solution?

Read the second part of this article to understand environmentalist Bjørn Lomborg’s statement: “Electric cars are labeled as environmentally friendly, but generating the necessary electricity almost always involves burning fossil fuels. In addition, the production of energy-intensive batteries for these cars invariably generates significant CO2 emissions ”.

Read the continuation of this article here.