Electric Vehicles vs. Biofuels: A Review of Decarbonization in Transportation

Abstract The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, making its decarbonization a critical step toward achieving climate goals. This paper conducts a comparative literature review of two key pathways to decarbonizing transportation: electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuels. The review evaluates these technologies across three dimensions: carbon savings, economic feasibility, and regional adoption. Studies indicate that EVs hold significant long-term potential for carbon reduction due to their ability to utilize renewable energy sources for charging. However, challenges such as battery production emissions, charging infrastructure development, and electricity grid dependency pose barriers to immediate large-scale adoption. Conversely, biofuels offer a more accessible short-term solution, particularly in regions reliant on existing internal combustion engine vehicles, as they leverage current infrastructure and require minimal technological disruption. However, concerns around land use changes, food security, and lifecycle emissions limit their sustainability. The paper highlights that regional adoption of EVs is most advanced in developed nations with strong policy incentives, while biofuels are more prevalent in regions with abundant agricultural resources. The findings underscore the importance of a nuanced, region-specific approach to transportation decarbonization, integrating EVs and biofuels where they are most effective.