Bulgaria to purchase 20 biodiesel-fuelled passenger trains

The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport is planning to purchase 20 biodiesel-fuelled passenger trains, with a tender procedure set to be announced in the coming days.
According to Minister Nikolay Karadjov, the adoption of biodiesel represents an excellent solution amid tightening environmental standards and offers a viable step toward achieving zero-emission transport.
Karadjov noted that all fuel distributors are currently obligated to supply a certain percentage of biofuel at each filling station. “From now on, we have almost no excuse not to offer biodiesel fuel in every petrol station,” he stated.
He further explained that the availability of biodiesel would depend on consumer demand and projected that, as its use expands among heavy-duty vehicles, buses, and trains, biodiesel will become more affordable and widely available.
When asked by the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) about the cost of biodiesel production, Karadjov asserted that its price is comparable to that of conventional fuels.
He acknowledged, however, that transitioning to sustainable fuels in the aviation sector may result in higher prices due to the more rigorous requirements involved in fuel processing for aircraft.
In contrast, he explained that in standard transportation systems, engines function identically regardless of whether they are powered by biodiesel or regular diesel, making the switch seamless in terms of performance.
While the European Union continues to prioritise electro-mobility, Karadjov indicated that there has been a subtle policy shift. He suggested that further developments in this area may emerge in the coming months.
The recent Transport Council meeting in Luxembourg featured extensive discussions on this topic, and the European Commission has committed to presenting a new vision for the interim period leading up to full electrification. Karadjov emphasised that this vision should recognize biodiesel as a significant innovation and a valuable opportunity in the broader transition strategy.