European climate policy for cars is based on flawed emissions accounting, according to a new analysis by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), as reported by Echo24, citing Bild.

EU regulations focus on tailpipe emissions and do not account for a vehicle’s entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, battery and vehicle production, the electricity used in manufacturing and operation and recycling.

An analysis of 19 studies and 47 scenarios found that battery-electric vehicles reduce life-cycle CO₂ emissions by an average of 41% compared with combustion-engine cars.

TUM President Thomas Hofmann warned of the risk of significant economic and environmental failures and called for the findings to be considered during November deliberations over the EU’s automotive package.

The researchers also warn that focusing primarily on tailpipe emissions could leave the EU significantly short of its climate goals. Around 78% of the vehicle fleet is still expected to consist of combustion-engine cars in 2030.

Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder said the findings supported his call for the EU to drop its remaining restrictions on combustion-engine cars from 2035.

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