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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 Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data shows that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs sharply with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Analysts examined data from in-vehicle energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher involved in the study. “This gap is widening and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power relative to overall mileage. The team determined that just 27% of travel was done in electric mode, whereas official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. This happened 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 electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The strong claims that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with significant car manufacturing.

Some senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the regulation.

One external energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive sector argued there was too little data to properly assess actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”