These days, ensuring sustainable measures in all areas is more than necessary to win over some of the most demanding customers and even to be more competitive in the market. In view of this, the biofuel proves to be a great start to a sustainable fleet.
Therefore, as the objective is to curb the damage caused to Planet Earth, reducing the use of fossil fuels is an excellent measure to reduce the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, which is something of extreme concern.
A study carried out by the Institute of Energy and Environment (IEMA) in São Paulo - SP, revealed that the circulation of cars represents 72,6% of the emission of gases that cause the greenhouse effect.
So, so that you can bring sustainability to your fleet management and help to reduce these numbers, throughout this text we separate the main doubts about biofuels, including what they are, benefits, what are their types and much more.
Good reading!
What is biofuel?
What types of biofuel are available on the market?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using biofuel?
Why is biofuel renewable?
How can renewable fuels be used in Brazil?
Why use biofuel in light fleets?
What is biofuel?
The use of fossil fuels as a source of energy began in the mid-eighteenth century with the Industrial Revolution. However, these materials have a long way to go until they can be used for this purpose.
The clearest example of this are petroleum-based fuels, which, according to scholars, only a deposit can take between 10 and 400.000.000 years to form.
Therefore, it is clear that today the speed of fuel consumption fossils is much greater than what nature itself can produce, which is also of great concern since they generate polluting waste that affect the atmosphere.
Then come the biofuels, which are produced using plant materials that do not undergo the fossilization process and, therefore, help to reduce the emission of pollutants.
Read more: Trends for light fleet management
In this way, as biofuels are produced through different species of plants, they also have several types. Check it out:
What types of biofuel are available on the market?
First of all, we need to understand that not all biofuels are considered clean, that is, some also cause pollution. However, they are still more sustainable than fossil fuels, because of its ability to renew.
Ethanol
Probably the best-known biofuel used in light vehicle fleets, ethanol is a kind of alcohol made from agricultural plant species, such as sugar cane, beet and corn.
However, it is normally mixed with other fuels to be used in internal combustion engines.
Biodiesel
Already biodiesel is a biofuel made from seed and grain oil, such as sunflower, soybean and rapeseed oils, for example. In addition, it can also be made using animal and vegetable fat and microalgae.
Therefore, this renewable fuel is made for use in cars and trucks with diesel engines, being the perfect substitute.
Biogas
O biogas is known for be a biofuel produced through the decomposition of organic matter in environments without gaseous oxygen. In this way, this process is carried out with anaerobic bacteria, that is, they do not need this element to survive.
Biomass
Made from all organic matter of plant or animal origin used for energy production, such as charcoal, firewood, sugarcane bagasse, among others.
Therefore, this energy source is considered more dispersed and of low efficiency, being used mostly in underdeveloped countries.
In addition, the biofuels can be divided into first and second generation, and the second is that it allows technological advances to be made and that there is the expansion of the third and fourth generation, which face economic and technological problems until they become viable.
First generation biofuel
This includes all biofuels produced from agricultural plant species, such as sugar cane, corn, sugar beet, wheat, among others. However, it is also important to remember that first generation biofuels have direct competition with food production.
Given this, they may also present problems in the future when it comes to sovereignty and food security.
Some examples of 1st generation biofuels are:
- Ethanol
- Biodiesel
- Biogas
Second generation biofuel
In the second generation of biofuels, the main example is cellulosic ethanol, which consists of a type of ethanol produced from cellulose and other plant fibers from wood and non-edible parts.
In this way, these fibers are converted into fuel by biochemical or thermochemical procedures.
Additionally, we bring new technologies are being developed to increase the possibilities of raw materials, which makes the exploitation of grass species, agricultural and industrial residues, among others, more viable.
Third generation biofuels
Already in third generation biofuels, production is marked by taking place from fast-growing plant species, such as seaweed. In this sense, new technologies have been improved and developed to genetically modify plant species, seeking to facilitate the process of converting the material into biofuel through second-generation technology.
Among the examples we can cite are the eucalyptus and transgenic corn.
Fourth generation of biofuels
Lastly, the fourth generation of biofuels is marked by the genetic modification of trees so that, in addition to providing high-quality biomass due to their richness in carbon, they also function as machines for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using biofuel?
The use of biofuels can have several advantages, especially compared to the use of fossil fuels, just take a look:
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- Have a diversified and up-to-date portfolio in line with what the market is looking for;
- Offer greater security by coming from inexhaustible sources, unlike fossil fuels;
- Increase job creation in the production chain;
- Contribute to reducing the impacts of global warming and GHG emissions into the atmosphere;
- Decrease dependence on fossil fuels in the world;
- And much more!
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However, in the same way, biofuels can also have certain disadvantages, such as:
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- Present pollution in its use, even if in a reduced form;
- Contribute to illegal deforestation in countries like Brazil;
- Reduce biological diversity and accelerate the unbridled use of natural resources such as water;
- Generate food and nutritional insecurity.
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Therefore, when choosing to implement biofuels in its light fleet management, try to find out everything about production, supply and distribution to the gas stations that your fleet supplies, ensuring a legal process that does not further damage the environment.
Read more: Respect and Responsibility: are you practicing in traffic?
Why is biofuel renewable?
We consider renewable materials all those that the raw material can be discarded in nature or have your reservation renewed, all without causing an environmental impact if done right, like replantable vegetables.
Read more: Vehicle demobilization: how to do it in fleet management
Thus, among the most common examples that we can cite are the sugar cane, used both in the manufacture of ethanol. On the other hand, we have castor bean, used on a large scale for the manufacture of biodiesel No. Brazil.
How can renewable fuels be used in Brazil?
Well, as you might have noticed, the biofuel can be used in energy production in general, both broadly and specifically.
Thus, they can be used both in power plants for the generation of electricity, in engines such as motor vehicles and agricultural machinery.
Thus, nowadays, Brazil is one of the countries in stand out when the subject is biofuel. In addition to being one of the pioneers in the implementation of public policies favoring its use.
In the 70s, for example, amidst the great oil crisis, the Brazilian government created the National Alcohol Program, also known as Proalcohol.
With it, Brazil boosted its production of ethanol, used both as a pure fuel and in mixtures with gasoline.
Thus, we became the largest ethanol producers in the world, with a production of 34 billion liters in 2020. However, we also present a great use of biodiesel, essential in the reduction of pollution caused by road freight transport.
Why use biofuels in light fleets?
As much as helping to save our planet is reason enough to be used, biofuels, in addition to leading to sustainability for your fleet management, still give more market competitiveness for your company.
This happens because, nowadays, companies are charged to have more responsible attitudes towards the environment. Therefore, opting for clean and renewable forms of energy is a very important step, which contributes to the adoption of ESG policies in your fleet management.
Read more: Adopt ESG actions with a fleet management system
In addition, the Biofuels can also offer savings in fuel costs, since, in several regions, they have lower prices than gasoline and diesel.
Another interesting point is that, with the high Brazilian production, biofuels are less subject to price fluctuations than barrel of oil on the international market.
Read more: Efficient fleet fuel management
However, it is necessary to carry out a thorough analysis, as biofuels often have a cheaper price per liter, but also have a lower yield.
Finally, it is also essential to ensure that this change can happen in your fleet, as not all vehicles can use these materials.
But if you really want bring more savings to your light fleet management, count on the Golfleet Fuel Management and Supply Control Module:
