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PHEVs produce nearly 5x greater planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, as per a new analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. This contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” stated a senior researcher participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery mode compared to total distance. They determined that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while official estimates suggested 84%.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, emission amounts were well above official projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, leading to engines using gasoline for nearly a third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed four major automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Discussion and Industry Pressure

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with large automotive industries.

Some senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little information to accurately assess real-world emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “Any policy changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”