Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Emit Almost as Much as Gasoline Cars, Report Finds
Plug-in hybrid cars emit almost 5x greater planet-heating emissions than official data show, as per a recent analysis.
Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions
Statistics shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO2 than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. That contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.
Analysts examined information from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO2 output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior researcher participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”
Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap
Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in electric mode compared to total mileage. The team determined that only a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas official assumptions assumed 84%.
Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel covered in EV mode.
Regulatory and Financial Implications
According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in operating costs than is estimated under lab conditions.
“The strong claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO2 production, and operating expenses.”
Policy Debate and Industry Pressure
Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO2 targets. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.
Several senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.
An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the car industry claimed there was too little information to properly evaluate real-world emissions.
“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO2 emissions is significantly larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering that evidence.”
