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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles produce almost 5x more global warming pollution than official figures indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy group. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are falling,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric mode compared to overall mileage. They found that just 27% of travel was done in electric mode, while lab estimates assumed 84%.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official projections. That happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Debate and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from EU countries with significant car industries.

Some senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to introduce in the regulation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the car sector claimed there was too little data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of that evidence.”