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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly five times more global warming pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on research carried out by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher participating in the study. “That gap is growing and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in battery power compared to overall distance. They determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, while lab assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. That happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function alone, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four major carmaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra annually in operating costs than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been brought back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and opposition from member states with significant car manufacturing.

Some high-level politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “flexibility” option to introduce in the regulation.

An external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess actual emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of this evidence.”