A harmonised auto-fuel biofuel roadmap for the EU to 2030

EU policy on biofuels to 2020 and beyond remains uncertain and current implementation of EU biofuels policy is fragmented at Member State level, leading to uncertainty for fuel and vehicle industries, and ultimately policy-makers, and consumers. Furthermore, there is uncertainty over what the fuel industry can achieve in terms of sustainable biofuels supply and how this can best be integrated into the vehicle fleet, and a lack of a joint fuel and vehicle industry bottom-up vision of what biofuels could achieve in road transport. This study sets out to identify a pathway that is achievable for both the fuel and auto industries, and coherent with overall policy objectives. The study shows how a range of biofuels can make a significant contribution towards meeting the EUrs renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets for 2020, and to further targets that may be set beyond that date. At the same time, it underlines the urgent need for specifications for new biofuel blends, compatible vehicles, and a framework that addresses biofuel sustainability issues including indirect land use change. The study also supports the development of advanced biofuels. Looking forward, it emphasises the need for a concerted auto-fuel effort to deliver effective biofuel-vehicle solutions. The study proposes a biofuels roadmap which, with appropriate investment by stakeholders, should deliver important GHG emissions savings by 2030, put the EU on a trajectory for greater savings beyond that date, assist in meeting other energy and environmental objectives, contribute to green growth and competitiveness of the EU, and meet the needs of the fuel and auto industries and their consumers.