Plug in Hybrid Cars Emit Nearly as Much as Petrol Vehicles, Report Finds
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater planet-heating emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.
Growing Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output
Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO2 than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit group. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.
Analysts examined information from in-vehicle energy use meters of 800,000 cars sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.
“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a lead researcher involved in the study. “That gap is growing and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol vehicles.”
Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap
Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric mode compared to total distance. The team found that only a quarter of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates assumed 84%.
Even, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were well above official projections. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance covered in EV mode.
Policy and Financial Consequences
According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra per year in operating expenses than is estimated under lab tests.
“The strong claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO2 production, and running costs.”
Policy Debate and Automotive Pressure
Plug-in hybrid vehicles have recently been brought back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO2 targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with significant car manufacturing.
Some senior officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to include in the legislation.
An independent energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which segments of the car industry argued there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual emissions.
“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and considering this data.”
