Sanctioned in October 2024, the Future Fuel Law established the annual increase in the percentage of biodiesel present in diesel. The adjustment of these percentages will be promoted under the coordination of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), which will periodically assess the feasibility of this implementation, with the goal of reaching 20% biodiesel in diesel by 2030. Thus, logistics and industrial operations that use fossil fuels will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 1% per year.
However, these changes have sparked important debates in the transportation and logistics sectors, especially when it comes to costs. As explained by Vitor Sabag, a fuel specialist at Gasola – a multifunctional solution company that automates fuel management – currently, biodiesel costs about 30% more than the A-grade diesel supplied by Petrobras. “The gradual increase in the biodiesel percentage in the blend has the potential to raise the final fuel cost for consumers,” he comments.
According to Sabag, the expanded use of biodiesel in truck engines and agricultural equipment faces technical challenges. The current quality of the fuel has generated numerous debates within the sector because it causes sludge formation in engines, which reduces vehicle lifespan and increases maintenance costs for the machinery, which are passed on in the service price.
“It is essential that the competent authorities carefully consider important aspects in implementing the measures. The use of biodiesel presents challenges that must be taken into account, such as maintenance expenses and reduced vehicle efficiency. A balance between sustainability and economic viability is necessary, ensuring that environmental goals do not create disproportionate losses for the transportation sector and the economy as a whole,” Sabag concludes.
Despite operational difficulties, Gasola sees the Future Fuel Law as a positive step. “Sustainable practices are the future. If we don’t take care of the planet now, we will pay the price soon. And in the fight against polluting gas emissions, we provide tools within our platform that help managers measure the environmental impact of their fleet with CO2 emission metrics. As for the law itself, it is a very important step, and we are following it closely, hoping that the government can adapt its regulations to the country’s reality and make progressive advances in the appropriate measures,” he concludes.
