The EU’s CO₂ fleet regulation is based on the CO₂ emissions measured during driving for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Battery-electric vehicles produce no CO₂ exhaust emissions in this context. This does not classify them as climate-neutral over their entire life cycle.
The debate on CO₂ fleet regulation also concerns which stages of a vehicle’s life cycle are considered. In its white paper “Defossilisation, Not Decarbonisation”, the CirculaTUM research network at the Technical University of Munich advocates a life cycle-based approach. TUM presented the study on 1 September 2026.
The criticism of existing regulation represents the researchers’ position. It does not replace an assessment of the assumptions and system boundaries used in each calculation.
For the eFuels Forum, it is crucial that comparable criteria also apply to synthetic fuels. Carbon-containing eFuels release CO₂ during combustion. Their overall greenhouse gas balance depends on factors including electricity origin, the CO₂ source, production and transport.
Sources: TUM announcement of 1 September 2026 on the white paper; European Commission: CO₂ emission standards for cars and vans.
Editorially revised on 16 September 2026. The sources were supplemented with TUM’s publication of 1 September.
