Internal combustion engines and biofuels: Examining why this robust combination should not be ignored for future sustainable transportation

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 148; p. 111292
• Main Authors: Duarte Souza Alvarenga Santos, Nathália, Rückert Roso, Vinícius, Teixeira Malaquias, Augusto César, Coelho Baêta, José Guilherme
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2021
• Subjects: Biofuels; Future mobility; Hybrid vehicles; Internal combustion engines; Pollutant emissions; Sustainable transportation; Pollutant emissions; Sustainable transportation; Hybrid vehicles; Future mobility; Biofuels; Internal combustion engines
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111292

The automotive industry is experiencing a revolutionary moment in search of reducing the carbon footprint from its activities. Despite the demand for lower pollutant vehicles, there is no need for a complete disruption of the current industrial production processes. Notably, electric vehicles have been promoted by some parties as the only and best solution for the sustainable future of mobility, to the detriment of the internal combustion engine. This tendentious point of view, although controversial and potentially dangerous, has been gaining strength especially after the pandemic started in 2019, when a considerable reduction in the circulation of the fleet worldwide was observed. Therefore, this work aims to demonstrate the importance of a diversity of solutions for the sustainable future of the transport sector. The risks of a technology ban were examined, as well as the reasons why the development of internal combustion engines, alongside biofuels, is still and will continue to be necessary for cleaner mobility. Moreover, an investigation towards the real responsible for global emissions showed that electricity generation, not automobiles, is the major cause of atmospheric pollution. •The exclusive adoption of BEVs to reduce pollution is a questionable action.•Electricity generation emits more GHG than automobiles.•In the near future, emission reduction is linked to clean energy and biofuels.•The potential of biofuels to generate clean energy is addressed.