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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times more global warming emissions than official figures indicate, as per a recent report.

Widening Gap In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a advocacy group. This contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined data from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher participating in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked most of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric mode relative to total mileage. The team determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested 84%.

Additionally, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab projections. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function independently, leading to engines using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 extra per year in running expenses than is assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been brought back into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with significant automotive industries.

Some high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the difference between lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for gasoline or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering this data.”