🔗 Share this article Plug in Hybrid electric Vehicles Emit Almost as Heavily as Petrol Vehicles, Study Finds Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release almost five times greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures show, as per a new analysis. Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Real-World Emissions Statistics shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO2 than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, according to research carried out by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with lab estimates, which assumed a three-quarters decrease in emissions. Researchers studied information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO2 output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021. “Real-world emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a senior analyst participating in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol cars.” Key Factors Driving the Emissions Gap Researchers linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in electric power compared to total distance. The team determined that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%. Additionally, when running in electric mode, emission levels were well above lab estimates. That happened because electric motors were not strong enough to operate independently, leading to engines using gasoline for almost a third of the travel completed in EV mode. Regulatory and Financial Implications According to calculations, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled several major automaker groups to avoid more than €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO2 targets. Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more per year in operating costs than is assumed under lab conditions. “The strong statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are clearly way off the mark,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating costs.” Policy Discussion and Industry Pressure Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political debates as automakers have lobbied the EU to relax CO2 standards. A proposed ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with large car industries. Several senior officials have suggested plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the regulation. One independent energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “very useful addition” after years in which segments of the automotive sector argued there was too little information to properly assess actual CO2 output. “The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is much, much greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “All regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and in the light of that data.”