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Plug-in hybrid cars emit nearly 5x more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a new analysis.

Widening Gap Between Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers driven in battery mode compared to total distance. They found that just 27% of driving was completed in EV mode, while lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than official estimates. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would pay about €500 extra per year in operating costs than is assumed under lab tests.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought again into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A planned prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with large automotive manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the car sector claimed there was too little data to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert stated. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and in the light of that evidence.”