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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly 5x more global warming emissions than official data indicate, as per a recent report.

Widening Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” stated a senior researcher participating in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in battery power compared to overall distance. They determined that just a quarter of travel was done in electric mode, while lab assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than official estimates. That occurred because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major carmaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in running expenses than is estimated under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with significant car manufacturing.

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

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the report a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry argued there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for petrol or conventional cars,” the expert said. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of this evidence.”