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PHEVs emit almost five times more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a new analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with lab tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Analysts studied information from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol cars.”

Key Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric mode relative to overall mileage. The team determined that just a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, whereas lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official estimates. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four major automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more annually in running expenses than is estimated under lab conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Debate and Industry Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with large car industries.

Some senior politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” option to introduce in the regulation.

One independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the difference between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”