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PHEVs emit nearly five times greater global warming emissions than lab-reported data show, as per a new analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a non-profit organization. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined data from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team 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.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Researchers linked most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. They determined that just a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official projections. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed several large carmaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra annually in operating costs than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have recently been brought back into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

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

An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little data to properly evaluate real-world emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” the expert stated. “All regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that data.”