# TUM study critique of EU electric vehicle policy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tum-study-critique-of-eu-electric-vehicle-policy > Updated: 2026-09-03T02:38:13.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), specifically through the CirculaTUM research consortium, have released a meta-study challenging the European Union’s current climate policy regarding electric vehicles (EVs). The research, titled ‘Defossilisation instead of Decarbonisation’, argues that the EU’s reliance on a ‘tailpipe approach’—which classifies battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) as zero-emission by only measuring exhaust gases—constitutes a ‘substantial misdirection’ of climate strategy because it fails to account for the carbon footprint of raw material extraction, production, operation, and recycling. By analyzing 19 previous studies and 47 scenarios, the consortium found that BEVs outperform internal combustion engine vehicles in 92% of analyzed cases, offering an average CO2 reduction of 41% over their lifecycle. However, the study highlighted significant variability: in the most favorable conditions, emissions were reduced by 89%, but in the least favorable scenarios involving carbon-intensive electricity mixes and battery production, BEVs could emit up to 21% more than comparable thermal vehicles. The findings have sparked debate among policymakers and within the academic community. While some political figures have used the data to challenge the phase-out of combustion engines, other TUM professors have criticized the study’s methodology and communication. This friction arrives as the EU prepares to vote on the Automotive Package, which may influence future CO2 targets. ## Claims - Professor Markus Lienkamp criticized the 83-page study for being redundant, repetitive, and difficult to read. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder used the study results to argue against the planned 2035 phase-out of combustion engines. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Electric vehicles offer an average 41 percent climate advantage over combustion engines when accounting for production, energy use, and recycling. (single source) - Battery-electric vehicles outperformed combustion engines in approximately 92 percent of the 47 scenarios analyzed in the meta-study. (single source) - The study was a meta-analysis of 19 previously published investigations rather than original measurements. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Technical University of Munich study critiques EU electric vehicle emission metrics A Technical University of Munich study argues EU CO2 regulations overlook the full life cycle of electric vehicles, finding they offer an average 41% emission reduction over combustion engines. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/technical-university-of-munich-study-critiques-eu-electric-vehicle-emission-metrics ### 2026-08-31: Technical University of Munich study challenges EU electric vehicle climate policy A Technical University of Munich study claims electric vehicles only reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by 41 percent, criticizing EU policy for focusing solely on tailpipe emissions rather than total lifecycle-emك 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/technical-university-of-munich-study-criticizes-eu-electric-vehicle-policy --- Cite as: TUM study critique of EU electric vehicle policy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tum-study-critique-of-eu-electric-vehicle-policy