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Plug-in hybrid cars emit nearly five times more planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy group. That differs significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in emissions.

Analysts examined information from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior researcher participating in the study. “This gap is widening and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power relative to overall mileage. The team found that only 27% of travel was done in EV mode, whereas official estimates suggested 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official projections. This occurred because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, leading to engines burning gasoline for almost one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several large automaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra annually in running costs than would be estimated under laboratory conditions.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and resistance from EU countries with significant automotive industries.

Some senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to include in the regulation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the car sector argued there was insufficient data to properly evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert said. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering this evidence.”