Electric vehicle transition offers significant climate benefits over combustion engines

A study published in the journal Science by researchers from UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara suggests that switching from an internal combustion engine to an electric vehicle (EV) provides significant climate benefits, even if the current vehicle is relatively new. The research, which analyzed over 400 models, found that the additional emissions from manufacturing an EV are typically offset by its operational efficiency within three years. In 92 percent of the scenarios studied, an early transition resulted in lower total CO2 emissions.

In Germany, data from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt shows the average age of passenger cars reached a record 10.9 years as of January 2026. ADAC statistics for 2025 indicate that vehicles actually experiencing breakdowns are even older, averaging nearly 14 years. Common causes for breakdowns include 12-volt battery failures (45.4 percent), engine or electronic issues (21.8 percent), and tire damage (8.9 percent). Drivers seeking roadside assistance can choose between automobile clubs, which offer membership-based protection, or insurance-based protection letters (Schutzbrief), which can be added to existing vehicle policies.