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PHEVs emit almost five times greater global warming pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World Emissions

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

Analysts examined data from onboard fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “That gap is growing and poses a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol vehicles.”

Key Reasons Driving the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in electric mode relative to total mileage. The team found that only 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, while official estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission amounts were well above lab projections. This occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate alone, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly a third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four major carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ standards.

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 extra per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under lab tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been brought again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to introduce in the regulation.

One independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and considering this evidence.”