Plug-in Hybrid electric Vehicles Emit Almost as Heavily as Petrol Vehicles, Study Reveals
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than official figures show, according to a recent analysis.
Growing Gap In Lab and Actual Emissions
Data shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO2 than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a non-profit group. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution.
Analysts studied data from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.
“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” stated a senior analyst participating in the study. “This gap is growing and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol cars.”
Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap
Analysts linked the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to total mileage. They found that only 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas official estimates suggested 84%.
Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than official projections. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for nearly a third of the travel covered in electric mode.
Regulatory and Economic Consequences
Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, owners of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in running expenses than is assumed under lab conditions.
“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly far from the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO2 emissions, and running costs.”
Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure
Hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO2 standards. A proposed ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with large car industries.
Some high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” solution to include in the regulation.
An external energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the car industry claimed there was insufficient information to properly assess real-world CO2 output.
“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the difference between lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme care and considering this evidence.”
