Biofuel production in Europe 2023, by country
In 2023, the production of biofuels in Europe was highest in Germany, at 72 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day. In comparison, France produced around 34 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day . Germany has around 3.5 percent share of global biofuel production. The overall production of biofuels in the EU has increased dramatically since the turn of the century, reaching 295 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023.
Transport consumption
Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass, designed as an alternative to fossil fuels. They have numerous uses such as energy generation and heating. However, at present its main use is for transport. The main biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel. In 2020, biodiesel consumption for transport in the EU amounted to over 13 million metric tons of oil equivalent. Biodiesel was by far the most consumed biofuel, with a share of approximately 80 percent.
Carbon neutral controversy
Whist it is often suggested that biofuels will help lower greenhouse emissions in comparison to fossil fuels, there is some controversy surrounding the subject. In a 2016 study for the European Commission, it was found that biodiesel produced from palm oil and soybean oil emits more greenhouse gases than diesel oil. This is a result of the crops indirect effects on land use change. This has seen calls for the use of palm oil and soybean oil to be banned for biofuels production.
