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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit almost five times greater global warming emissions than official data indicate, as per a new analysis.

Growing Gap Between Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just 19% less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs significantly with lab tests, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in emissions.

Analysts studied information from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is widening and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery mode compared to total distance. The team found that just a quarter of travel was done in electric mode, whereas official estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were well above lab estimates. That happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major carmaker groups to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 more per year in running expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought back into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive manufacturing.

Several senior politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was too little information to accurately evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they said. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering this data.”