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PHEVs emit almost five times more global warming pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Gap In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. That contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle energy use monitors of 800,000 cars sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in battery power compared to overall distance. They found that just 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, while official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above official estimates. That occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to engines using gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several major carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more per year in running expenses than is assumed under laboratory tests.

“The bold claims that automakers like to make about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have lately been brought back into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Some high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little information to properly assess actual emissions.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “All policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of this evidence.”