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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles produce almost 5x more global warming pollution than official data indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Gap In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. That contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the study. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. They found that just a quarter of travel was done in EV mode, whereas official estimates suggested 84%.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, emission amounts were well above lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function alone, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled several large automaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 more per year in operating expenses than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into political discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Some high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to include in the regulation.

An independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which segments of the car sector argued there was too little data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this evidence.”