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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater global warming emissions than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Discrepancy In Official and Real-World Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a non-profit organization. This differs sharply with laboratory estimates, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Analysts studied data from in-vehicle energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” said a senior researcher participating in the report. “That gap is growing and creates a serious problem. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in battery power relative to overall mileage. They found that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, while lab assumptions assumed 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above lab estimates. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function independently, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

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

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating expenses than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running costs.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with large automotive manufacturing.

Several high-level politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the regulation.

An external energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the car sector argued there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” they said. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of this data.”