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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles produce almost five times greater global warming pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery mode relative to total distance. The team found that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while lab assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab projections. That happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines using fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four large carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

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

“The bold claims that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the mark,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

Some senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to include in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the car sector claimed there was too little data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they stated. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this data.”