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PHEVs release nearly 5x greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures indicate, according to a new report.

Growing Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data shows that PHEVs emit just 19% less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a advocacy organization. This differs sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Researchers studied information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” said a senior analyst involved in the study. “This discrepancy is growing and creates a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts attributed the majority of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric power compared to overall mileage. They determined that just 27% of driving was done in electric mode, while lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab estimates. This happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

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

“The bold claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn again into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with large car manufacturing.

Some senior politicians have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

One independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, described the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was too little data to accurately evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that evidence.”