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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost five times more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data show, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on research carried out by a advocacy organization. That contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts studied information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Researchers attributed most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in battery mode compared to overall mileage. They found that just 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to operate alone, leading to engines using gasoline for nearly a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four large automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra per year in running costs than would be estimated under lab conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn again into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Some high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to include in the regulation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to properly assess actual emissions.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”