Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Almost as Much as Gasoline Cars, Study Reveals

Plug-in hybrid cars release nearly five times greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, according to a recent analysis.

Widening Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is growing and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric mode compared to total distance. The team determined that just 27% of travel was done in electric mode, whereas official assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate independently, resulting to engines burning gasoline for nearly a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Industry Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought back into political debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from EU countries with significant car industries.

Several high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that data.”