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PHEVs emit almost five times greater global warming emissions than official data indicate, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

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

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a senior researcher involved in the report. “That gap is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery mode compared to overall mileage. They determined that only 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in EV mode, emission amounts were well above lab projections. This occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed several large automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra per year in running expenses than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” commented a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Several senior officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the legislation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the report a “very useful addition” after years in which segments of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering that data.”