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Plug-in hybrid cars release nearly 5x greater planet-heating pollution than official figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with laboratory estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined data from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles driven in electric mode relative to total mileage. They found that only 27% of driving was completed in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed 84%.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were significantly higher than lab projections. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed several major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

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

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

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

An independent energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the car industry argued there was insufficient data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering that evidence.”