In a concerning series of poor decisions, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) decided to bury a study it had ordered and paid $120,000 for, as it confirmed that upgrading an internal combustion engine (ICE) car to an electric vehicle is beneficial for the environment.

Back in 2022, SFOE commissioned Infras, a reputable research firm, to answer a straightforward question: When does it make sense, from a climate perspective, to replace a gasoline car with an electric one?

It’s not a bad question.

If you are considering buying a new car, it is better for the environment to opt for an electric one. Countless studies have confirmed this over the years. The degree to which it is more beneficial varies based on how much you drive and if it is charged with renewable energy, but it is significantly better.

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But due to the high environmental impact of manufacturing a new vehicle, some are debating whether it’s possibly better to drive your old beater until it completely falls apart rather than buying a new EV.

The Federal Office of Energy decided to answer that question by ordering a study worth 100,000 Swiss francs.

When the report landed in fall 2024, the verdict was clear: replacing over 90% of existing petrol/diesel cars with an equal-sized EV would save CO₂ immediately, except for vehicles that hardly ever leave the driveway.

However, the only reason we are aware of it now is that Republik, a Swiss online investigative journalism magazine, managed to obtain a copy through freedom of information requests.

Instead of publishing the study, the Federal Office of Energy decided to bury it.

Why? It’s unclear.

When asked now, they say that they have doubts about the results, but Republik followed with more freedom of information requests for emails discussing the study after Infras delivered it, and it tells a different story.

The publication reports on the communications from the SFOE staff:

The topic is “potentially sensitive,” the project manager wrote to various employees at the beginning of December 2024 after internal discussions, noting that the recommendations “could be misinterpreted” at a time when the federal administration “tends to be perceived rather negatively.” The study is “simply academic,” replied the head of communications at the Federal Office of Energy. In reality, no one will consider whether to replace their five-year-old combustion engine with an electric car “from a climate perspective.” One must be careful not to accuse the Federal Office of Energy of making “elitist recommendations” along the lines of “if there’s no bread, then eat cake.”

The conversation is particularly unusual, considering the study’s goal was to inform buyers of the potential environmental impact of upgrading to an electric car, and they now had the answer.

Now, they didn’t want them to have that information?

Switzerland had a goal of 50% of new cars sold in the country to be electric this year, but it is currently at about 30%.

Electrek’s Take

Great journalism work by Republik, but terrible work by the Swiss government and bureaucrats.

The science is clear: they are a net positive for the environment compared to vehicles that burn fossil fuel.

I have been reporting on and promoting electric vehicles for over a decade now. I didn’t think that in 2025 we would still be fighting against propaganda against that simple fact, but here we are.

There’s clearly still a lot of work to do.

The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV has officially arrived. With a range of up to 493 miles, the electric pickup is built for the long haul. It can tow up to 12,500 lbs, sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, and now features a rugged new Trail Boss trim with 775 hp and more off-road capability than ever.

2026 Chevy Silverado EV prices and range by trim

Chevy is crushing it right now. After surpassing Ford, Chevy is now the fastest-growing domestic EV brand in the US.

Thanks to the new Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer EVs, it’s actually closing the gap with Tesla. With the new and improved 2026 models now available, Chevy could gain even more ground into the end of the year.

Last month, Chevrolet introduced a new Trail Boss trim for the 2026 Silverado EV, boasting 725 horsepower and several off-road upgrades.

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The new Silverado EV Trail Boss “gives customers an option that builds on our strong truck pedigree, high electric range and off-road capability,” according to Scott Bell, Chevy’s vice president.

With a 2″ lift, the new trim offers 24% higher ground clearance than the base version. It also gains new features, like Terrain Mode and a fine-tuned suspension for added capability.

Adding to the Silverado EV’s already sleek look, the flagship model gains trim-exclusive design elements, including Trail Boss badging inside and out, 35″ all-terrain tires, a high-angle front end design, and red tow hooks.

Like the base Silverado EV LT, the Trail Boss edition is available with Chevy’s Multi-Flex Midgate (shown below). The flexible bed provides up to 10 feet and 10 inches of total space to fit kayaks, camping gear, and more.

With the extended-range battery, the 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss edition can tow up to 12,500 lbs and has a maximum payload of 2,100 lbs. It also delivers an impressive up to 760 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque.

Using Wide Open Watts mode unlocks maximum horsepower and torque, enabling a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds.

The electric truck is just as impressive inside as it is on the outside. A 17.7″ touchscreen infotainment and an 11″ driver display come as standard with Google built-in.

You can also add a 14″ diagonal Head-Up Display (HUD) and GM’s Super Cruise driver assist tech. According to Chevy, Super Cruise is available when towing on the LT and Trail Boss trims.

Chevy slashed prices across the board with the 2026 Work Truck trim listed at a base price of just $54,895, $2,200 less than the outgoing model.

The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV LT is about $10,000 cheaper than the outgoing version. It’s now available, starting at just $62,995 with up to 283 miles of range. The Extended and Max Range battery packs, with EPA-estimated ranges of 410 miles and 478 miles, respectively, start at $68,295 and $76,295.

You can snag the new Trail Boss trim for $72,095 with a range of 410 miles. Like the LT, the Max battery pack provides 478 miles range, starting at $88,695.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller, the Chevy Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable 315+ mile range EV,” starts at just $34,995 with leases as low as $289 per month.

Looking to test one out for yourself? With the 2026 models rolling out, Chevy is offering big discounts, including 0% financing or a $3,000 cash bonus on 2025 model years. You can use our links below to find Chevy Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer EVs in your area.