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Plug-in hybrid cars release almost 5x greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit group. This differs sharply with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Analysts studied data from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the report. “That gap is growing and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power relative to overall mileage. They determined that only a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four major carmaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

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

“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn back into political discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

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

One external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and considering this data.”