The European Parliament on 21 May 2026 debated the role of biofuels in the wake of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, revealing a deep divide between groups advocating technological neutrality and those prioritising sustainability and sectoral targeting. Commissioner for Energy Apostolos Tzitzikostas stressed the need to accelerate clean energy, including sustainable biofuels and e-fuels, especially for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and maritime. He noted the revised ILUC Delegated Act (submitted 10 April) identifies palm oil and soy as high-risk feedstocks, and that certification rules for low-risk ILUC are being drafted.
EPP MEP Massimiliano Salini backed biofuels for decarbonisation, diversification, and technological neutrality in road transport. PfE’s Silvia Sardone and ECR’s Stefano Cavedagna criticised the Commission for ideological over-reliance on electrification, demanding technological neutrality and warning of job losses. PfE’s Anne-Sophie Frigout and Marion Maréchal pushed for higher bioethanol blends (E20) and criticised the 7% cap in RED. EPP’s Herbert Dorfmann advocated integrated land use for energy and protein. EPP’s Dariusz Joński and Jana Nagyová called for a stable, coherent legal framework to boost investment. EPP’s Matej Tonin argued for an ecosystem approach combining electrification and advanced biofuels. Renew’s Elsi Katainen urged faster, simpler regulation.
On the other side, S&D’s Mohammed Chahim warned against treating biofuels as a panacea, urging prioritisation for sectors without alternatives and cautioning on imported biofuels linked to deforestation. S&D’s Tiemo Wölken supported EU-produced sustainable biofuels for non-electrifiable vehicles, opposing imports. S&D’s Annalisa Corrado insisted on prioritising sustainable biofuels for hard-to-electrify sectors. Renew’s Sigrid Friis and Greens-EFA’s Jutta Paulus argued biofuels should be reserved for aviation and maritime, not cars, citing land-use limits and inefficiency. Greens-EFA’s Martin Günther called biofuels a non-solution that competes with food. Greens-EFA’s Thomas Waitz and The Left’s Sebastian Everding stressed biomass limits and inefficiency of crop-based biofuels. Renew’s Jan-Christoph Oetjen argued for an ecosystem approach combining electrification and advanced biofuels. PfE’s Isabella Tovaglieri warned of industrial suicide without biofuels.
centre-right and far-right groups push for broader use of crop-based biofuels and technological neutrality, while Greens, S&D, and The Left emphasise sustainability criteria, land-use limits, and prioritisation for aviation/maritime. No formal decision was taken; the Commission will continue work on certification and delegated acts.