Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Nearly as Heavily as Gasoline Vehicles, Report Finds

Plug-in hybrid cars produce nearly five times more global warming pollution than lab-reported data show, according to a recent analysis.

Growing Gap In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release just 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy group. This contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” stated a senior researcher involved in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in electric mode compared to overall mileage. The team found that only 27% of driving was completed in EV mode, while official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, leading to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major carmaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously way off the mark,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been brought again into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with significant automotive industries.

Several high-level politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the report a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to accurately assess real-world emissions.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “Any policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and in the light of that data.”