Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Gasoline Cars, Report Finds

PHEVs produce almost five times greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power relative to total mileage. They determined that only 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions assumed 84%.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official estimates. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to operate independently, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost a third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four large automaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra annually in running costs than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Several senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.

An external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the report a “very useful addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient information to properly assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this evidence.”