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

Growing Gap In Lab and Actual CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only one-fifth less CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit organization. This differs sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in emissions.

Researchers examined information from in-vehicle energy use meters of 800,000 cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are increasing, while lab-reported figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers attributed most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in battery power compared to overall mileage. They found that just 27% of travel was done in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than lab projections. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function independently, leading to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the distance completed in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled several major carmaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more annually in operating expenses than is estimated under lab tests.

“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are little better than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought again into political discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car sector and opposition from member states with large car manufacturing.

Some senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the regulation.

An external energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was too little data to properly assess actual emissions.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference in lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering this evidence.”