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PHEVs release almost 5x greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data show, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy group. That differs sharply with laboratory estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while official emissions are falling,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers driven in electric mode relative to total mileage. The team determined that only 27% of driving was done in EV mode, while lab assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official projections. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more annually in operating expenses than is assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into policy debates as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

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

An independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little data to accurately assess real-world emissions.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and in the light of this evidence.”