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PHEVs release nearly 5x more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a new report.

Growing Discrepancy Between Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a advocacy organization. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 cars registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are falling,” said 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.”

Key Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in battery power relative to overall distance. The team determined that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, emission amounts were well above lab estimates. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large automaker groups to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 more annually in operating costs than is estimated under lab tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into political debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from EU countries with large car industries.

Some senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

An independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert said. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering this evidence.”