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PHEVs release almost five times greater global warming pollution than official figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release just 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle energy use monitors of 800,000 cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is growing and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in electric mode relative to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, while official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. This occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major carmaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 more per year in operating expenses than is assumed under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with significant car manufacturing.

Several high-level politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient data to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they said. “Any policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this data.”