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PHEVs emit nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs release only 19% lower CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit group. That contrasts sharply with laboratory tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied data from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Primary Factors Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric power relative to total distance. The team determined that only 27% of travel was done in electric mode, whereas official assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than official projections. That happened because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker groups to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend approximately €500 more per year in operating costs than is estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Political Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with significant car industries.

Several high-level politicians have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.

One external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector argued there was insufficient data to properly assess actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is much, much larger than for petrol or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme caution and in the light of this data.”