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PHEVs emit almost 5x more global warming pollution than lab-reported data show, as per a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined data from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery mode relative to total distance. They found that just 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were significantly higher than lab estimates. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function independently, leading to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several large carmaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 more annually in operating costs than is estimated under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

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

One independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the report a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the car sector claimed there was too little information to properly evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering that evidence.”