Plug-in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Almost as Much as Petrol Cars, Report Reveals

Plug-in hybrid cars produce almost five times more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy group. This contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, while official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab projections. That occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than is assumed under lab tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with large car industries.

Several senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was insufficient data to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they said. “All policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and considering that data.”