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PHEVs produce nearly five times greater global warming emissions than lab-reported data indicate, as per a new report.

Widening Gap In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a advocacy organization. That contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% decrease in emissions.

Analysts studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while official emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in electric mode compared to total mileage. They found that just a quarter of travel was completed in EV mode, while official estimates suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

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

Additionally, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra annually in running costs than would be estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the mark,” stated a automotive analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and operating expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been drawn again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the automotive sector and opposition from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

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

An external energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “All regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that evidence.”