Zero-Carbon Fuels and Biofuels

This map shows the buildout of zero-carbon fuels and biofuels potentially compatible with reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 in five year increments. Interactive features show zero-carbon fuels and biofuels further broken down into ammonia, biogas with carbon capture, corn ethanol, corn ethanol with carbon capture, Fischer–Tropsch diesel, Fischer–Tropsch diesel with carbon capture, and synthetic hydrocarbon.

Corn ethanol is the main biofuel used today. As we approach 2050, we see new zero-carbon fuel and biofuels industries emerging with ammonia, biogas and F-T diesel with carbon capture, and synthetic hydrocarbons. Electric fuels (i.e., with a feedstock of electrolyzed hydrogen) are located in areas with an abundance of wind like the Midwest. Fuels using blue hydrogen (natural gas with carbon capture) are located in areas with cheaper natural gas and the availability of geologic sequestration. Fuels that use biomass as a feedstock are primarily located in the Midwest and Southeast.