Plug in Hybrid electric Vehicles Emit Almost as Heavily as Gasoline Cars, Report Reveals

Plug-in hybrid cars emit nearly 5x more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a new analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied information from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold 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.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. They determined that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, whereas official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab projections. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could pay about €500 more annually in operating costs than would be estimated under lab conditions.

“The strong claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

Some senior officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the regulation.

One external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this evidence.”