Hydrocarbons are better energy stores than batteries. If we can “charge your car” by pumping hydrocarbons into it, that is better than lugging around heavy batteries (maybe.) so, in a way, co2 -> gasoline via solar power (or nuke) is an overall win.
I personally doubt the energy cost for the conversion is so low that it makes sense, but would like to see that demonstrated. Then you are still burning hydrocarbons, which is a big health problem.
