The recent report on EU competitiveness by Mario Draghi sees a vital role of renewable ethanol in bolstering the bloc’s competitiveness and achieving climate goals, according to ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association.
The report advocates for a more pragmatic, technology-neutral approach to the EU's Fit for 55 goals and points out that internal combustion engine vehicles will remain common on EU roads for a long time, underscoring the importance of sustainable low-carbon liquid fuels such as ethanol for transport decarbonisation. “An increase in the market penetration of low-emission fuels could compensate for a slower than expected uptake in BEVs [battery electric vehicles],” the report says.
It further notes that ethanol can be produced from various feedstocks and that the carbon dioxide (CO2) released from burning ethanol is partially offset by the CO2 captured during the growth of feedstock crops. Low-level blends of ethanol can be used in any conventional gasoline vehicle with the existing distribution infrastructure. Additionally, the report asserts that sustainable renewable and low-carbon fuels are key for the decarbonisation of aviation and maritime transport in the medium term, and may also be necessary for heavy-duty vehicles.
“The message from the Draghi report is clear: Europe needs to make better use of strategic domestic assets such as renewable ethanol biorefineries, which produce food, feed and fuel and contribute to EU goals for climate change mitigation, energy independence and food security as well as a competitive economy,” said ePURE director general David Carpintero.
