The European Parliament voted Tuesday in support of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) for post 2020.
This includes an EU-wide overall target of 32% for renewables in 2030, and a binding target of minimum 14% for renewables in transport in 2030.
The European ethanol association, ePure, welcomed the progress with the adoption of RED II but pointed out that it would be up to member states to turn ambition into action.
As the new framework also includes a cap on crop-based biofuels at each member state's 2020 levels, up to 7%, there is a limited timeline to increase biofuel consumption in transport. For ethanol, a more widespread adoption of E10 would be a way to achieve this.
Biofuels producers also welcomed the EU's ambition to increase the use of renewable energy in transport. "The EU Renewable Energy Directive creates a predictable investment environment for biofuels", Director of Public Affairs at Neste Ilkka Rasanen said.
The proposal needs to be formally approved by the EU Council, which represents national governments before final publication. This is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
