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PHEVs emit nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.

Growing Gap Between Lab and Actual Emissions

Data reveals that PHEVs emit just one-fifth less CO₂ than traditional petrol and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a advocacy organization. This differs sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the study. “This gap is growing and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as much as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in battery power compared to overall distance. The team found that just 27% of travel was completed in EV mode, whereas lab estimates assumed 84%.

Additionally, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were well above official estimates. That happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function independently, leading to engines using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several major automaker groups to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 extra annually in operating costs than would be estimated under laboratory tests.

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are obviously way off the mark,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been brought again into political discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with large car manufacturing.

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

One external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which parts of the car industry argued there was too little information to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the difference between lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for gasoline or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “Any policy changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and considering that data.”