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PHEVs emit nearly five times greater global warming pollution than lab-reported data indicate, according to a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts studied data from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a senior researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in battery mode compared to overall distance. They determined that only 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas official assumptions suggested 84%.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function alone, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost a third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four major automaker groups to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra annually in running costs than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and resistance from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.

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

One external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the car industry argued there was insufficient information to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering that data.”