Plug-in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Gasoline Cars, Report Reveals

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles produce nearly five times greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. This contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered 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.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a lead analyst involved in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles driven in battery mode compared to total distance. The team found that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission amounts were well above lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several large automaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 more per year in operating costs than would be assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.

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

One external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, described the analysis a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that evidence.”