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PHEVs release almost 5x greater planet-heating emissions than official figures indicate, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers examined data from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power compared to total distance. They found that only 27% of driving was completed in EV mode, while official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were well above official projections. That occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large carmaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 more annually in running expenses than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are clearly way off the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been brought back into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with significant automotive manufacturing.

Some high-level politicians have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the legislation.

One independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to properly evaluate real-world CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the gap in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that data.”