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Plug-in hybrid cars produce nearly five times greater planet-heating emissions than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a new analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a advocacy group. That contrasts significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined data from onboard 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 greater than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” said a lead analyst involved in the study. “This gap is widening and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric power compared to total distance. They determined that only 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab estimates. That occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more annually in operating expenses than would be estimated under lab tests.

“The bold claims that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Some senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

An external energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the report a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the car industry argued there was insufficient data to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the gap between lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”