Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Nearly as Heavily as Gasoline Vehicles, Study Finds
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater planet-heating emissions than official data show, according to a recent analysis.
Widening Gap In Official and Real-World CO2 Output
Data shows that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO2 than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research conducted by a advocacy group. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.
Analysts examined data from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead researcher involved in the report. “This discrepancy is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol cars.”
Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap
Analysts linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric mode compared to total distance. The team found that only 27% of driving was done in electric mode, while official estimates suggested 84%.
Additionally, when operating in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than official projections. This occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to operate alone, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for nearly a third of the distance covered in EV mode.
Regulatory and Economic Implications
Based on estimates, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large carmaker groups to escape more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO2 standards.
Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in operating expenses than would be assumed under laboratory tests.
“The bold statements that automakers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are clearly far from the mark,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel use, CO2 emissions, and operating expenses.”
Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying
Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO2 targets. A planned prohibition on sales of new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense lobbying from the automotive sector and resistance from member states with significant car industries.
Some high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” solution to include in the legislation.
An independent energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, called the analysis a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which segments of the automotive sector argued there was too little information to accurately assess real-world emissions.
“The results show, without question, that the difference between lab and actual PHEV energy use and CO2 emissions is significantly greater than for petrol or conventional cars,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”
