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Plug-in hybrid cars release nearly 5x more global warming pollution than official figures indicate, according to a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a advocacy group. That contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” stated a lead researcher involved in the study. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in battery power relative to total distance. The team determined that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, whereas official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when running in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above lab projections. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function independently, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in running costs than is assumed under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have lately been brought back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with large automotive industries.

Some high-level officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the research, described the report a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient information to properly assess actual emissions.

“These findings show, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “Any policy changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering this evidence.”