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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release nearly five times more planet-heating pollution than official data indicate, as per a new analysis.

Widening Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy group. That contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers examined data from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery power relative to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to function alone, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for nearly a third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more per year in running costs than would be estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and resistance from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.

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

One external energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the car sector argued there was insufficient data to accurately assess actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “Any policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and considering this data.”