Report: EU Biofuel Consumption Increased in 2012

EurObserv'ER has reported in its Biofuels Barometer 2013 that biofuel consumption in the European Union is growing strongly despite the uncertain political context.

Between 2011 and 2012 consumption grew to nearly 14.4 million metric tons of oil equivalent (toe), or by almost 2.9 percent, according to the report. The growth in biofuel consumption was uneven across EU, with 14 member states (including France, Germany, Sweden and Finland) posting an increase while 10 others (including UK, Poland, Hungary and Italy) showing a decrease. This uneven growth was due to some countries reducing their mandates and to the uncertainties in the European legislation.

Biofuels accounted for approximately 4.7 percent of transportation fuel within the EU in 2012. Biodiesel accounts for 79.1 percent of the total biofuel consumption on energy basis, while bioethanol accounts for 19.9 percent and pure vegetable oil for 1 percent.