Switzerland Suppresses Study Proving Electric Cars are Environmentally Friendly

Switzerland's Federal Office of Energy commissioned a study to determine when it makes sense to replace a gasoline car with an electric one from a climate perspective. The study found that upgrading over 90% of existing petrol/diesel cars to EVs would save CO₂, except for vehicles that rarely leave the driveway. However, the office decided to bury the study, citing doubts about the results and concerns about potential misinterpretation.

In a recent development, Switzerland's Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) has faced criticism for burying a study it commissioned to determine the environmental benefits of upgrading gasoline cars to electric vehicles (EVs). The study, conducted by the reputable research firm Infras, found that replacing over 90% of existing petrol/diesel cars with EVs would significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, except for vehicles that rarely leave the driveway [1].

The study was commissioned in 2022 with a budget of 100,000 Swiss francs. However, when the report was delivered in fall 2024, SFOE decided not to publish it. Instead, the office cited doubts about the results and concerns about potential misinterpretation by the public [1].

The decision has sparked controversy, particularly given Switzerland's goal of having 50% of new cars sold in the country be electric by the end of 2025. As of now, only about 30% of new cars sold are electric [1].

The study's findings align with numerous other studies that have consistently shown EVs to be more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. A study published in Nature found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) consistently have the lowest carbon footprints compared to hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles [2].

Despite the SFOE's decision, the scientific community continues to advocate for the adoption of EVs as a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the controversy surrounding the buried study highlights the need for transparent and accessible information on the environmental benefits of EVs.

References:
[1] Electrek. (2025, June 19). Switzerland killed study proving upgrading to an electric car good environment? Retrieved from https://electrek.co/2025/06/19/switzerland-killed-study-proving-upgrading-to-an-electric-car-good-environment/?extended-comments=1
[2] Nature. (2025, January 18). Passenger car carbon footprints are highly sensitive to future energy systems. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02447-2