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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater global warming pollution than official data show, as per a new report.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on research carried out by a advocacy organization. That differs sharply with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found 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 rising, while official figures are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the study. “That gap is widening and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery mode relative to overall mileage. The team determined that just a quarter of travel was done in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab estimates. That occurred because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, leading to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled several large automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

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

“The strong claims that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to include in the regulation.

One independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the report a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the gap between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert said. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”