From biofuels, a key contribution to more sustainable mobility

The transition towards more sustainable energy sources is a key priority for the transport sector. Biofuels emerge as a crucial solution: they provide an alternative to traditional fuels and pave the way for energy sustainability, particularly during the transition phase marked by the widespread adoption of mobility systems with increasingly low environmental impact.

Biofuels are a source of energy derived from renewable raw materials, such as plant or animal biomass, which can be used in transport to partially or entirely replace traditional fossil fuels. These fuels not only reduce CO₂ emissions across their entire supply chain but also contribute to diversifying energy sources, making them more accessible and secure. This plays a crucial role in addressing the energy trilemma, defined as environmental sustainability, energy security, and economic and social energy accessibility. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the transport sector accounted for approximately 23% of global CO₂ emissions in 2023, with 86% of these emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil-derived hydrocarbons. In Italy, transport-related emissions contribute 25% of the national total, with over 100 million tonnes of CO₂ emitted annually. These figures underscore the urgent need to develop effective solutions to reduce the sector's environmental impact.

Recognising the need to address the environmental impact of transport, the European Union has introduced regulations to promote the use of renewable energy sources within the sector. The Renewable Energy Directive (RED), most recently updated in 2023 as RED III (EU 2023/2413), mandates that by 2030, at least 29% of the energy used in transport come from renewable sources or, alternatively, that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity from the sector be reduced by at least 14.5%. The directive requires transposition into national law by 21 May 2025. 

To decarbonize air and maritime transport, the EU has also implemented specific regulations supporting the adoption of sustainable biofuels. Starting in 2025, two key regulations will apply:

• the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation (EU 2023/2405), which requires increasing blending obligations at EU airports with sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), including biofuels, with targets rising from 2% in 2025 to 70% by 2050. 
• the FuelEU Maritime Regulation (EU 2023/1805), which establishes progressively stricter GHG emissions reduction targets for energy used on ships, achievable in part through the use of biofuels, excluding those produced from food and feed crops.  

The RED also differentiates between “conventional” biofuels, derived from crops like maize or rapeseed, and second-generation or advanced biofuels produced from organic waste, used cooking oils, and agricultural or forestry residues. These biofuels are produced by Enilive, the Eni company dedicated to mobility. These raw materials – agroforestry waste, food industry by-products, used oils and bio-oils derived from cultivation on marginal or semi-arid land, or in rotation with the primary crop – are incentivised by European regulations, which also set penetration targets for advanced biofuels. 

Biofuels provide an immediate solution for vehicles equipped with traditional internal combustion engines. They can immediately reduce dependency on fossil hydrocarbons by diversifying energy sources. In particular, advanced technologies such as those employed by Enilive enable the production of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which can be used in its pure form in currently approved engines without requiring any modifications, offering a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

With the support of policies that promote sustainability and investments in advanced technologies, the European Union has established itself as a global leader in this sector.

Eni is a key player in biofuel innovation, with technologies such as Ecofining^TM and Proesa^TM. These advanced processes enable the conversion of biomass and agro-industrial waste into renewable fuel sources. Eni offers a range of products for transport on land, air, and sea:
 

• HVOlution: Fuel made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. It can be used in certified diesel engines without modifications and is available in nearly 1,200 Enilive service stations.
• Biojet: Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
• Marine HVO: Fuel for maritime transport.
• Bioethanol (produced with the PROESA® technology): it is used for formulating gasoline with a renewable component.  

The decarbonization of the transport sector requires a holistic approach integrating various solutions. Biofuels are currently one of the most immediate and effective solutions to reduce CO₂ emissions, especially in the heavy transport, aviation, and maritime sectors, which are currently very challenging to electrify. 

Technological innovations in biofuel production will play a key role in the evolution of sustainable mobility. The mix of energy solutions will continue to evolve over time, but biofuels remain a key element in the drive towards greater sustainability.