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PHEVs release almost 5x greater global warming emissions than official data show, according to a recent analysis.

Widening Gap In Lab and Actual Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, based on analysis carried out by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers studied information from in-vehicle energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are increasing, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a senior analyst involved in the report. “That discrepancy is growing and poses a significant issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

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 total distance. They found that only 27% of travel was done in EV mode, while official assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when operating in EV mode, pollution amounts were well above official projections. That occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning gasoline for nearly one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Economic Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several large carmaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 extra annually in running costs than would be assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly way off the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular gas and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and operating expenses.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought again into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with large car industries.

Several senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the regulation.

One independent energy economics specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the car sector argued there was too little data to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“These findings demonstrate, without question, that the gap between official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” they said. “Any policy adjustments concerning PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and in the light of that evidence.”