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Plug-in hybrid cars produce almost 5x more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. That differs significantly with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied information from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world 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 rising, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric mode compared to overall distance. They found that only a quarter of travel was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official estimates. This occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, resulting to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost a third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra per year in operating expenses than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard gas and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been brought back into political debates as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with significant automotive industries.

Several senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to include in the regulation.

An independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector argued there was insufficient information to properly evaluate real-world CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of that evidence.”