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PHEVs emit nearly five times more planet-heating pollution than official figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a non-profit group. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers examined data from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst involved in the study. “That gap is growing and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles driven in electric mode compared to overall distance. They found that just a quarter of driving was done in electric mode, whereas official estimates suggested 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. That happened because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled four large automaker groups to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could pay about €500 more annually in operating costs than is assumed under lab tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from EU countries with large automotive manufacturing.

Some high-level politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.

One independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they said. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and in the light of that data.”