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PHEVs produce nearly 5x more global warming pollution than official figures show, as per a new analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power relative to total mileage. The team determined that only 27% of travel was done in EV mode, while official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than official estimates. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed four large automaker groups to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The strong statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Industry Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and resistance from member states with significant car manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the car industry argued there was too little information to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”