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PHEVs produce nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a non-profit organization. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Analysts studied information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior researcher participating in the report. “That gap is growing and poses a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery power compared to overall distance. The team determined that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, while official assumptions assumed 84%.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, pollution levels were well above lab projections. That happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, leading to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed several large automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra per year in operating costs than is assumed under lab tests.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the mark,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Automotive Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been brought again into political discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Several senior officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the regulation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was too little data to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and in the light of this evidence.”