This is the question that the Federal Energy Office posed in the Zurich study office Infras, which made its report in autumn 2024. He concluded that yes, the purchase of an electric car was practically always advantageous from an ecological point of view. However, at first, the Ofen gave up publishing this report.
The investigation of the WAV German Research Collective revealed this news. The program is talking about it on RTS First contacted the Ofen to understand this renunciation. The reason invoked: the report “does not clearly answer the question of whether the purchase of a new electric vehicle accompanied by the sale of a used petrol (or thermal) vehicle has a positive or negative impact on the climate.
The study was too vague. “Explanations at first glance curious, knowing that this study contradicts a widely held idea which indicated that it was better to go to the end of the life of his petrol car before switching to electric.
An exchange that is worth it, despite some strangers
Marc Muller, energy engineer and specialist in energy transition, is the author of the documentary “A Contresens”, about the advantages and disadvantages of the electric car. In the show we talk about it, he confirms the infras report: the electric car is more advantageous. “It consumes three to four times less energy than a petrol vehicle. In any case, going to an electric vehicle is the best solution for the environment. If you swap a used thermal vehicle, you can buy a used electric vehicle. “
However, if we exchange our thermal car for an electric, the second -hand thermal car will continue to pollute. “Today in Switzerland, part of the thermal vehicles are rugged or at the end of their life. They go to the recycling center and are recycled. It is the same thing for electric vehicles, even if we have little data. The batteries are recycled and in Switzerland, factories recycle up to 95% of the metals. The question is rather: these vehicles will be exported? Even if they continue to ride, is it a good thing European market “, replies Marc Muller.
Dear ecobilans that take time
How to explain the reluctance of the Confederation to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles? Marc Muller quotes the example of the General Motors company. “In the early 2000s, the company managed to demonstrate that buying a hummer, one of the most polluting vehicles in the world, was more ecological than buying a Toyota Prius. All the hypotheses were tampered so that we cannot check them. If you are a public administration, you have to be honest on these hypotheses. For example, the batteries of electric cars become 10% at 20% more efficient and 20% less polluting each year. Carrying out a qualitative eco -friendly and takes time.
Radio subject: François Jeannet
Adaptation Web: Myriam Semani
