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PHEVs produce nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, according to a recent report.

Growing Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied information from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher participating in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric power relative to overall distance. They found that just a quarter of travel was done in electric mode, whereas lab assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, 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, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra annually in operating expenses than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the mark,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

Some high-level politicians have proposed PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An external energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was too little data to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference in official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert said. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”