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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost 5x greater global warming pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs emit only 19% less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with lab tests, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” said a lead analyst involved in the report. “That gap is growing and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. They determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. This happened because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 extra annually in running costs than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The strong claims that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car sector and resistance from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to properly assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and in the light of this evidence.”