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PHEVs emit almost five times more planet-heating pollution than official figures indicate, as per a recent report.

Widening Gap Between Official and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis carried out by a advocacy group. That contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Researchers studied data from onboard energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead analyst participating in the study. “That gap is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric mode relative to total mileage. The team found that only 27% of travel was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official projections. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the travel completed in EV mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra annually in running costs than is assumed under lab conditions.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A planned prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.

An external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the report a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which parts of the car sector claimed there was insufficient data to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference between lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”