Figures from EurObserv'ER Biofuels Barometer 2018 show that biofuels consumption for transportation in the European Union (EU) reached 15.5 million tonnes oil equivalents (Mtoe) in 2017, a 9.2 percent increase compared to 2016.
According to the report, biodiesel – including renewable diesel HVO – is the dominant biofuel type accounting for 12.5 Mtoe or 80.7 percent of biofuels used, followed by ethanol at 2.8 Mto, 18.4 percent. Vehicle-grade biomethane accounted for the balance – 0.2 Mtoe or 0.9 percent in 2017.
Presently, almost all the biofuels consumed for transportation within the EU now comply with the European Commission’s sustainability requirements. Bioethanol production in Europe has increased in 2017 by 11 percent as compared to 2016 and the EU ranks as the top biodiesel producer worldwide.
Trends in global and EU biofuel consumption
Outside the EU, the United States (US), Brazil and China were the biggest biofuels consumers in 2017. Within the EU, France is the leading consumer of biofuels by volume followed by Germany and Sweden respectively. Spain’s year-on-year consumption grew by 15 percent.
With its 20.8 percent biofuel incorporation rate, over double the EU 2020 target of 10 percent, Sweden has by far the highest level of biofuel usage of all EU Member States. The country also has the largest amount of biomethane used as a transportation fuel.
The contribution towards the renewable energy targets of biofuels produced from so-called high indirect land-use change (ILUC) risk biofuels is to be frozen at 2019 levels and gradually reduced as of 2023 down to zero in 2030.
