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PHEVs release almost five times greater planet-heating pollution than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. This differs significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle energy use meters of 800,000 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric power relative to overall mileage. They found that only 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than lab projections. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major automaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would pay approximately €500 more annually in running costs than is estimated under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” commented a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with significant automotive industries.

Some senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the car industry claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering this data.”