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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit group. This differs sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts studied information from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 cars registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are decreasing,” said a lead researcher participating in the study. “That gap is widening and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in battery power relative to overall distance. They found that just 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas lab assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official projections. That occurred because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would pay about €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, without question, that the gap in official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”