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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost five times more global warming pollution than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. This contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Analysts studied information from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric mode relative to total mileage. They found that only 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, while official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above lab estimates. This happened because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function independently, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled four major carmaker groups to avoid over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would pay approximately €500 more annually in operating expenses than would be estimated under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously way off the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with significant car manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

An independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little information to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they said. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and in the light of this evidence.”