Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Emit Almost as Much as Gasoline Cars, Study Reveals
Plug-in hybrid cars emit almost 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, according to a recent report.
Widening Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output
Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% lower CO2 than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a advocacy group. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.
Researchers examined information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” stated a senior researcher participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and poses a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol cars.”
Key Reasons Driving the Discrepancy
Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles driven in electric power compared to total mileage. They determined that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas lab assumptions assumed over four-fifths.
Even, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above lab projections. This happened because electric motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel completed in EV mode.
Regulatory and Financial Consequences
Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would pay about €500 more annually in running costs than is assumed under laboratory conditions.
“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO2 production, and operating costs.”
Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying
Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into policy debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO2 standards. A proposed prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with significant car manufacturing.
Several high-level politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.
One external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world 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 larger than for gasoline or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of that evidence.”
