Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Pollute Almost as Heavily as Gasoline Vehicles, Study Finds
Plug-in hybrid cars produce almost 5x greater global warming pollution than official data show, as per a recent analysis.
Growing Gap Between Official and Actual Emissions
Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO2 than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a non-profit group. That differs significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% decrease in pollution.
Researchers examined information from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO2 output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a senior researcher participating in the study. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”
Key Factors Behind the Discrepancy
Researchers linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric mode compared to overall mileage. The team determined that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while official estimates suggested over four-fifths.
Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than lab estimates. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate alone, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for nearly one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.
Regulatory and Economic Consequences
According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several large carmaker companies to avoid over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more annually in operating costs than is assumed under lab conditions.
“The strong statements that automakers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the mark,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating costs.”
Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying
Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO2 standards. A planned ban on new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from EU countries with large automotive industries.
Some high-level officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.
An independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little data to properly assess real-world CO2 output.
“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 output is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and in the light of this data.”
