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Plug-in hybrid cars release almost five times greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a recent report.

Growing Gap In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs sharply with lab estimates, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers studied data from onboard energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Key Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery mode compared to overall distance. They determined that just 27% of travel was done in EV mode, while lab estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly a third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several large carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

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

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are clearly way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with significant car industries.

Some high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to include in the legislation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive industry claimed there was too little information to accurately assess actual emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the gap between lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”