1. Electric cars are the most efficient to drive
2. Electric cars are increasing their range
3. Electric cars have the best climate footprint
4. Electric cars protect their surroundings
5. Electric cars facilitate the energy revolution
Car debate The five major strengths of e-mobility

Sound familiar? Friends, work colleagues and family members discuss whether electric cars really are the future. Wouldn’t hydrogen or synthetic fuels be a better option? A large number of scientists feel this question has already been answered. “Many studies have shown that electric drive is by far the most efficient method for powering cars,” said Prof. Maximilian Fichtner, for example, battery expert at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). A current study at Bundeswehr University Munich also substantiates the fact that electric vehicles have the smallest carbon footprint. We have summed up everything you need to know when it comes to the car debate in five points.

Many studies have shown that electric drive is by far the most efficient method for powering cars.
1. Electric cars are the most efficient to drive
The losses are even greater with synthetic fuels, known as e-fuels: It takes 27 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity to produce just one litre of e-Diesel – with an average consumption of six litres every 100 kilometres, that makes 162 kWh. “With that amount of energy, you can drive a battery-powered car 1,000 kilometres,“ calculates Fichtner.

2. Electric cars are increasing their range
Electric cars already have ranges suitable for everyday use. Take the ID.3 as an example: The compact Volkswagen model can travel up to 549 kilometres with a 77 kWh battery. With a 58 kWh battery, it can travel up to 426 kilometres, and 45 kWh enable a range of up to 352 kilometres with a single charge (WLTP in each case).

3. Electric cars have the best climate footprint
Battery-powered electric cars have the best climate footprint of all drives, as a large number of scientific studies show. One of these studies was jointly presented by three renowned research institutes in 2020: The Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).
It’s important to note: The climate advantage of electric cars has grown significantly in recent years. This is a result of progress in battery production, the longer lifetimes of batteries and the greater percentage of renewable energies in Europe. “Compared with combustion engines, it still takes more energy to manufacture electric cars. But that is offset after a few tens of thousands of kilometres, providing clean electricity is used,” said PSI research scientist Christian Bauer.
A study at Bundeswehr University Munich, presented in 2022, arrived at similar results: “The results make it clear that the comparison of individual emission sections within the entire lifecycle of the product is of little significance if you wish to argue about the climate compatibility of different vehicles. For example, battery-powered electric cars have the highest emissions during production, but fare better than classic combustion engines in the overall context of usage and recycling,” says the university.

4. Electric cars protect their surroundings

Take the ID.4 as an example: In Volkswagen’s electric SUV, sophisticated aeroacoustics make for a very quiet journey. This is made possible by details such as the shape of the exterior mirror casings and elaborate insulation measures in the chassis. These reduce the airborne sound and structure-borne sound that the engine, chassis and tyres emit, contributing to the impression of almost silent power delivery.
5. Electric cars facilitate the energy revolution

Charging stations and supply chains
Supply chains:

Charging stations:

Volkswagen is also expanding the public rapid-charging network in North America and China. Electrify America is planning around 10,000 rapid-charging stations in the USA and Canada by the end of 2025. In China, Volkswagen is aiming to set up a total of 17,000 rapid-charging stations by 2025 via the CAMS joint venture.
The company already sells wallboxes for charging at home via its subsidiary Elli. The offering also includes Volkswagen green energy based on renewable energy.