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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost five times greater global warming emissions than official data show, as per a recent report.

Growing Gap Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a advocacy organization. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined data from onboard fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric mode relative to total distance. The team determined that only 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission amounts were well above official estimates. That occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to function alone, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost a third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be estimated under lab tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been brought back into political debates as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with large car manufacturing.

Some high-level officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and considering this data.”