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PHEVs release almost 5x more planet-heating pollution than official figures indicate, as per a new report.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a non-profit organization. That differs significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers examined information from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a senior analyst participating in the study. “This gap is widening and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery power relative to total distance. They determined that only a quarter of travel was done in EV mode, whereas official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above lab estimates. That happened because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines using fossil fuels for almost a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four large carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would pay about €500 extra annually in running expenses than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with large automotive industries.

Several senior politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering this evidence.”