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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly five times more global warming emissions than official figures indicate, as per a new analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with lab tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined data from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a senior analyst participating in the study. “This gap is growing and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in battery power compared to total mileage. They determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four large automaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra per year in running costs than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Political Debate and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and opposition from EU countries with significant car manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to include in the regulation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the car sector argued there was too little information to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and considering that evidence.”