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PHEVs produce almost five times greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit group. That contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are falling,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol cars.”

Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in battery power compared to overall mileage. The team found that only 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in electric mode, emission amounts were significantly higher than official projections. This happened because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines burning gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled four large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more per year in operating costs than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The bold claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from EU countries with large car industries.

Several senior politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” option to include in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any policy changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering that evidence.”