Plug in Hybrid electric Vehicles Pollute Nearly as Heavily as Gasoline Vehicles, Report Reveals

Plug-in hybrid cars release almost five times greater planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied information from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are falling,” said a senior analyst participating in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to total mileage. They determined that just 27% of travel was done in electric mode, whereas official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab estimates. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large carmaker groups to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 more annually in running expenses than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with significant car manufacturing.

Several senior officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the regulation.

An external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the car industry argued there was too little data to properly assess real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of this evidence.”