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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost 5x greater global warming emissions than lab-reported data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a advocacy group. This contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They 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.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior researcher involved in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery power relative to total distance. They found that only 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, emission levels were well above lab projections. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 more annually in running expenses than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold claims that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with significant car industries.

Some senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

One independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the research, described the report a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this data.”