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PHEVs emit almost 5x greater planet-heating emissions than official data indicate, as per a new report.

Growing Discrepancy Between Official and Actual Emissions

Statistics shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional petrol and diesel cars, based on research carried out by a non-profit group. This contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in emissions.

Analysts examined information from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “That gap is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol cars.”

Primary Factors Driving the Discrepancy

Researchers linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to overall distance. They found that only 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, whereas official estimates assumed 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were well above official projections. That occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate independently, resulting to combustion motors burning gasoline for almost a third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major carmaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 more annually in running expenses than is estimated under lab tests.

“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little better than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with large automotive manufacturing.

Several senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the legislation.

An independent energy policy specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “very useful addition” after a long period in which segments of the car industry claimed there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results show, without question, that the difference in official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and considering that evidence.”