1. Summary and Conclusions

1.1 Electric vehicles consume less energy than fossil fuel vehicles.
If we calculate ‘Tank-to-Wheel’, that is to say only on the vehicle, an electric vehicle consumes
around three times less final energy (= petrol, diesel or electricity) than a fossil fuel vehicle with
the same weight and the same performance (excluding driving range).
However, energy is required to produce fossil fuel and electricity, as well as to distribute them. If
we include this energy, then fossil fuel vehicles consume ‘Well-to-Wheel’ 20 to 80% more
primary energy than electric vehicles of the same weight and performance, excluding driving range
(20% = diesel-lead comparison, 80% = petrol-lithium comparison).

1.2 Electric vehicles generate significantly less CO2 than fossil fuel vehicles.
Electric vehicles do not produce emissions and therefore, on a ‘Tank-to-Wheel’ basis, cause
infinitely less pollution than fossil fuel vehicles.
If we compare ‘Well-to-Wheel’ CO2 emissions generated from the source of the primary energy
(oil well, mine…) to the vehicle, an electric vehicle generates on average, with the EU electricity
mix, less than half the CO2 of a fossil fuel vehicle of the same weight and performance (excluding
driving range).

1.3 Electric vehicles will generally be smaller and lighter and therefore even cleaner and
more fuel-efficient.
In fact, because electric vehicles have a range limited by battery capacity, their use will essentially
be limited to commuting and city-like trips, for daily distances of less than 50-100km. Such trips
represent about 80% of the mileage covered by cars. For this usage, a small light vehicle is clearly
preferable because it is more manoeuvrable in traffic and can be parked easier: it is only for longer
trips that the comfort and luxury of a large car are really advantageous. Smaller and lighter
vehicles are intrinsically less energy consuming and therefore even cleaner and more fuelefficient.

In addition, the small size of electric cars will help reducing congestion on roads and in car parks.

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