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PHEVs release almost 5x more global warming pollution than official figures indicate, according to a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied information from in-vehicle energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric mode relative to total mileage. They determined that only a quarter of travel was done in electric mode, while official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above official estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in operating costs than is estimated under laboratory conditions.

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been brought again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and resistance from member states with large car manufacturing.

Some high-level politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the regulation.

An external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little data to properly assess real-world emissions.

“These findings show, without question, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and in the light of this data.”