Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Gasoline Vehicles, Study Reveals

Plug-in hybrid cars release nearly five times greater planet-heating emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a advocacy group. That contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found 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 emissions are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in electric mode compared to total mileage. The team determined that just 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official estimates. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled several large carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could pay about €500 extra per year in running costs than is estimated under laboratory conditions.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are clearly way off the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car industry and opposition from member states with significant automotive industries.

Several senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the regulation.

One external energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“The results show, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they stated. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering this evidence.”