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PHEVs emit nearly 5x more global warming emissions than official figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Actual Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit organization. That contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined data from onboard energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst participating in the study. “This gap is widening and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in battery power compared to total distance. The team found that only 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, while official estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were well above official estimates. That happened because electric motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more annually in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car sector and resistance from EU countries with large automotive industries.

Some senior officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering that data.”