Electric cars: life cycle emissions almost 4x lower thanks to green electricity

Electric cars are now almost four times less CO₂ in the life cycle than a petrol engine - and the trend accelerates through an increasingly renewable power supply.

Climate parts through clean electricity mix

A current study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows: Battery electric vehicles (BEV)that are sold in Europe in 2025 73 % less greenhouse gases Over her entire life cycle as a comparable petrol engine.

• Improvement around 24 % Compared to forecasts from 2021

• A share of renewable energies in electricity generation increases by 2025 56 %

The greener the power grid, the greater the advantage of the electric cars. Vehicles remain on average for around 20 years on the road - their climate balance therefore benefits from decarbonization in the long term.

Comparison with hybrid and hydrogen vehicles

The ICCT analysis also illuminates other drives:

• hybrid: - 20 % life cycle emissions vs. petrol engine

• Plug-in hybrid: - 30 % (actual electrical driving parts often lower)

• Fuel cell vehicles: up to - 79 % (only accessible with green hydrogen))

The hydrogen produced with natural gas, on the other hand, only reduces emissions by around 26 %.

Production “emission debt” quickly balanced

The initially higher emissions for battery production (+ 40 %) are similar to about 17,000 kilometers from - in Europe usually within one to two years.

Methodology for realistic balance sheet

The life cycle analysis includes:

• Production and recycling of vehicles and batteries

• Production of electricity and fuel

• Realistic consumption data instead of official test cycles

• Development of the electricity mix via vehicle life

ICCT researcher Dr. Georg Bieker emphasizes: "A life cycle analysis is not a dream concert - it has to take real data and network development into account."

conclusion

The study underpins: Only the consistent switch to battery -electric vehicles provides the necessary emission reductions for a sustainable turnaround. Politics and industry are thus given reliable facts for decisions.