Plug in Hybrid electric Vehicles Emit Nearly as Much as Petrol Cars, Report Reveals

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost 5x more global warming emissions than official figures indicate, according to a new report.

Growing Gap In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a senior analyst participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery mode relative to overall mileage. The team found that only a quarter of driving was done in electric mode, while official estimates assumed 84%.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. That occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to function alone, resulting to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled several large carmaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 more per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been brought back into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and resistance from EU countries with significant car industries.

Several senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the regulation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the car industry argued there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”