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PHEVs produce nearly 5x more planet-heating pollution than official data show, according to a recent report.

Growing Gap In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. That differs sharply with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in emissions.

Analysts studied information from in-vehicle energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They found that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the study. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric mode relative to overall mileage. The team found that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas lab assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab estimates. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed several large automaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra per year in operating expenses than is assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The strong statements that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

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

One independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert said. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of this evidence.”