🔗 Share this article Plug-in Hybrid Cars Emit Almost as Much as Petrol Cars, Report Finds PHEVs emit almost 5x greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a new report. Widening Discrepancy In Official and Actual Emissions Data reveals that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO2 than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This differs significantly with lab tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution. Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021. “Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline cars.” Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap Researchers linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power compared to overall mileage. They determined that just a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions assumed 84%. Even, when running in electric mode, emission amounts were well above official projections. This happened because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function alone, leading to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the travel covered in electric mode. Policy and Economic Consequences Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four major carmaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO2 standards. Additionally, owners of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 extra per year in running expenses than would be estimated under lab conditions. “The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating costs.” Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into political discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO2 standards. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with large car manufacturing. Several senior politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to include in the legislation. One independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess real-world emissions. “The results show, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is significantly larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert said. “All policy changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and considering this data.”