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Plug-in hybrid cars produce almost five times greater global warming pollution than official figures show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Data shows that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a non-profit group. This contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

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 output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked the majority of the gap to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in battery mode relative to total mileage. They found that only a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major carmaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra annually in running expenses than would be estimated under laboratory tests.

“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been brought back into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.

Several high-level officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the regulation.

One external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”