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Plug-in hybrid cars release almost 5x greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs release just 19% less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a non-profit group. This differs significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the study. “This gap is growing and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery power compared to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was done in EV mode, while official estimates suggested 84%.

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, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for almost a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

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

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in running expenses than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from EU countries with significant car industries.

Several high-level officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient data to accurately assess actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that data.”