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Plug-in hybrid cars produce nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a advocacy group. This differs sharply with lab tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a lead researcher participating in the study. “This gap is growing and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery mode relative to overall mileage. The team determined that only a quarter of driving was done in electric mode, while official assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission amounts were significantly higher than official estimates. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major automaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in running expenses than is assumed under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been brought back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with large car industries.

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

An independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the report a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was too little data to accurately assess actual emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering this data.”