A study commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy has concluded that replacing most internal combustion engine cars with electric vehicles (EVs) of the same size would lead to significant CO₂ reductions—yet the agency decided not to publish the report. The suppression has sparked criticism from mobility experts and political figures, who accuse the government office of withholding public information out of fear of political backlash.
The study, titled “Kaufentscheid: Wann es sich lohnt, auf ein Elektroauto umzusteigen” (“Purchase decision: When is it worth switching to an electric car”), found that for more than 90% of petrol and diesel vehicles currently on Swiss roads, an immediate switch to an EV would be environmentally beneficial. The analysis considered multiple factors, including the resale of fossil fuel cars on global second-hand markets.
According to the Swiss publication Republik, which obtained the report under the Freedom of Information Act, the Federal Office of Energy refrained from releasing it publicly due to concerns over criticism from right-wing political groups. The office issued a statement distancing itself from the study’s findings, claiming they no longer reflected current EV market conditions. However, mobility expert Romain Sacchi of the Paul Scherrer Institute called the research “outstanding” and its conclusions “clear,” adding that EVs have become more efficient since the study’s conception in 2022.
Green-Liberal National Councillor Jürg Grossen, who also chairs the Swiss E-Mobility Association, criticized the non-disclosure, stating, “If a federal office spends taxpayers’ money on studies, it must also publish the results.” The study, conducted by the research institute Infras, cost CHF 118,000 (approximately €126,000). Transport advocate Martin Winder added, “It is unacceptable that scientific findings are withheld due to political sensitivities. Such studies are crucial to guide environmentally responsible behavior.”
The episode has raised broader concerns about transparency, scientific integrity, and the politicization of climate policy in Switzerland.
Source: republik.ch