Different pyrolysis techniques for converting solid biomass material into liquid fuels that can be used in combustion motors are described and compared. The techniques include fast pyrolysis, pyrolysis in aqueous reaction media and a newly developed process based on a hydrogen donating solvent system and used for converting residual lignin after production of lignocellulosic ethanol production to liquids. New data from pyrolysis in liquid reaction media is presented and discussed. The quality of the oil as produced in the pyrolysis step is evaluated, and the range of different possible applications is emphasized.