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PHEVs release almost five times more global warming pollution than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit group. This contrasts significantly with lab tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official emissions are falling,” stated a lead analyst involved in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in electric power relative to overall mileage. The team found that just 27% of travel was done in electric mode, while lab estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were well above official estimates. This occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to operate alone, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large automaker groups to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold claims that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Debate and Automotive Pressure

Plug-in hybrid cars have recently been brought back into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive industry and resistance from member states with significant car manufacturing.

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

One external energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the car industry argued there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and in the light of this evidence.”