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Plug-in hybrid cars emit nearly 5x greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a recent report.

Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a non-profit organization. This differs sharply with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers studied information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab figures, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are increasing, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” said a senior researcher involved in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric mode relative to total distance. They determined that just a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas official estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab projections. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function alone, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major automaker groups to escape over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into political debates as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from member states with large automotive industries.

Some senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to include in the legislation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient data to properly assess actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”