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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than official figures show, as per a recent report.

Growing Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. That contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined data from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a senior researcher involved in the study. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in electric power relative to total distance. They determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. This occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost a third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major carmaker groups to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

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

“The strong statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought again into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Several senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to properly evaluate real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”