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PHEVs release nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data show, 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 vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Analysts studied data from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst involved in the study. “This gap is growing and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery mode compared to total mileage. They determined that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. This happened because electric motors were not strong enough to operate alone, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large automaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn again into political debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and opposition from EU countries with large car industries.

Some high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient data to properly evaluate real-world emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “All policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this evidence.”