Future Fuel Law sparks debates in the transport sector

Enacted in October 2024, the Fuel Future Law established the annual increase in the biodiesel percentage present in diesel. The adequacy of these percentages will be promoted with the coordination of the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), which will periodically assess the feasibility of this implementation, with the objective of achieving 20% of biodiesel in diesel oil in 2030. Thus, logistical and industrial operations that use fossil fuels should reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by at least 1% per year. 

These changes, however, brought important debates to the transport and logistics sectors, especially when it comes to cost. As explained by Vitor Sabag, a fuel specialist at the Gasola – Multifunctional solution company that automates supply management – Currently, biodiesel costs about 30% more than diesel A provided by Petrobras. “ The gradual increase in the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture has the potential to increase the cost of the final fuel for consumers”, he comments.

According to Sabag, the increased use of biodiesel in truck engines and agricultural equipment has technical challenges. The current quality of the fuel has generated numerous debates within the sector as it causes the formation of lees in the engines, something that reduces the useful life of the vehicle and increases the maintenance costs of the machine that are transferred to the service price.

“It is essential that the competent bodies carefully consider important aspects in the implementation of the measures. The use of biodiesel presents challenges that must be taken into account, such as maintenance expenses and reduction of vehicle efficiency. It is necessary to balance sustainability and economic viability, ensuring that environmental goals do not generate disproportionate losses to the transport sector and the economy as a whole”, completes SABAG.

Despite the operational difficulties, the gastrona sees the fuel law of the future as something positive. “Sustainable practices are the future. If we don't take care of the planet now, we'll pay the bill soon. And in the fight against the emission of polluting gases, we provide, within our platform, tools that help the manager to measure the environmental impact of his fleet with CO2 emission metrics. The law, on the other hand, is a very important step and we are following step by step in the hope that the government can adapt its norms with the reality of the country and make progressive advances in the appropriate measures”, he concludes.