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Plug-in hybrid cars release nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than lab-reported data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied data from onboard fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a senior analyst involved in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in electric power relative to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, while lab estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab projections. This occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major carmaker companies to escape more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 more per year in running expenses than is assumed under lab tests.

“The bold claims that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with large car industries.

Several high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the regulation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they said. “Any policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and considering this evidence.”