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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles emit nearly five times more global warming emissions than official figures show, according to a recent report.

Widening Gap Between Official and Real-World Emissions

Data shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a non-profit group. That contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher participating in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and poses a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as petrol cars.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power relative to overall mileage. They found that only a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas lab estimates assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. That occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function alone, resulting to combustion motors burning gasoline for almost a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Consequences

According to estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would pay about €500 more per year in running costs than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold claims that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Political Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with significant automotive manufacturing.

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

An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, described the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive sector argued there was insufficient data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this data.”