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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost five times greater planet-heating pollution than official figures show, as per a new analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on research carried out by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO₂ output 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 rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst involved in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and poses a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery mode relative to total distance. The team determined that just 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. This happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

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

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The strong claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with large car manufacturing.

Some high-level officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the regulation.

An external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap in lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel cars,” they stated. “All policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this data.”