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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times more global warming pollution than official figures show, as per a new report.

Growing Gap In Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a advocacy group. This differs significantly with lab tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors 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 mode relative to total distance. The team found that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, while lab assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than lab projections. This occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function alone, leading to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major carmaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying 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 running costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Pressure

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn again into political discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Some senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to include in the regulation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive industry claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of this evidence.”