The Digest’s Top 10 Advanced Bioeconomy Markets and Predictions for 2021

10. The Electrify Everything Movement Gains More Traction

With the election of Joe Biden to the U.S. Presidency, look for a coalition of auto makers, environmental groups and utilities to press for a series of measures to accelerate the conversion of transportation from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE engines) to electric motors. There are good energy efficiency reasons to quickly electrify transport, and good energy storage and “greening the grid” reasons to go slow. So, there will be pushback from oil & gas interests and those who don’t like the prospect of the $7500 per vehicle tax incentives being given to millions of new car owners.

Renewable fuels have a dilemma — they are low-carbon technologies often greener than electric mobility options, and they offer lower upfront conversion costs, support for rural economies and can be carbon-negative sky-cleaners, too. They have a good story, but renewable fuels are uniquely tied to oil & gas because they are usually (not always) blended with fossil fuels, and some important voices view renewable fuels as a means of perpetuating fossil fuel dominance. Under a Biden administration, the forces petitioning government have the size (automakers, utilities) to gain a hearing and (automakers, environmentalists) they have deep experience in influencing government policy, and (automakers, utilities, environmental groups) have built-in platforms and budgets for messaging consumers.