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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly five times more global warming emissions than lab-reported data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Gap In Official and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy group. This differs sharply with lab tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied information from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery power relative to total mileage. The team determined that just a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, while official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. This happened because electric motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines using fossil fuels for almost a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker groups to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive expert. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn again into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive industries.

Several high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”