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PHEVs emit almost five times greater planet-heating emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a non-profit group. That contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined information from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst involved in the study. “That gap is growing and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric power relative to overall mileage. They found that just a quarter of travel was completed in electric mode, while lab estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. That occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

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

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought back into policy discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the legislation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the car industry argued there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and considering that data.”