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Plug-in hybrid cars emit nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit group. This contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts examined data from in-vehicle energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in battery mode relative to overall distance. They found that only a quarter of travel was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to engines burning gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed four major carmaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would pay approximately €500 extra annually in operating expenses than would be estimated under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly way off the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought again into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the car sector and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

Several senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to introduce in the regulation.

One independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme care and in the light of this evidence.”