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PHEVs emit nearly five times more global warming pollution than official figures show, as per a recent report.

Growing Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined data from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 cars registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are falling,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is growing and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers attributed most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric mode relative to total mileage. The team determined that only 27% of driving was done in EV mode, while official estimates assumed 84%.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, emission amounts were significantly higher than lab projections. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate alone, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled four major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more annually in running costs than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn again into political discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned prohibition on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

Some high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which parts of the car sector argued there was insufficient data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert said. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of this data.”