Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Nearly as Much as Petrol Cars, Study Finds

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly five times more global warming pollution than official data indicate, as per a new analysis.

Widening Gap Between Lab and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 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.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead analyst participating in the study. “That gap is growing and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in battery mode compared to overall mileage. They found that just a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, whereas lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official estimates. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, resulting to engines burning gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several large carmaker groups to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra annually in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn back into political debates as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Several high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the car sector argued there was too little information to accurately evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of that evidence.”