French study shows E85 as beneficial to the climate as 100% electric

In France, a study shows that plug-in hybrid vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 are as beneficial for the climate as 100% electric.   Plug-in hybrid vehicles running on Superethanol-E85 are as beneficial for the climate as 100% electric according to an IFP Energies nouvelles study.

The study carried out by IFPEN’s Economics and Environmental Assessment Department measured and compared the greenhouse gas emissions of 3 types of compact cars (segment C): thermal vehicles running on fossil fuel, hybrids rechargeable using Superethanol-E85 and 100% electric cars, in life cycle analysis. This method takes into account all the greenhouse gas emissions due to vehicles and the battery (from manufacturing to recycling) as well as those from the energies used (from production to use). The study covered both the cases of the French and European electricity mixes.

This comparison made for 2022 with projections for 2040 demonstrates that plug-in hybrid vehicles using Superethanol-E85 and covering 40% of the distances in electric mode are at least as beneficial for the climate as the corresponding 100% electric vehicles, with the electric mix French and a fortiori with the more carbon-intensive European mix.