🔗 Share this article Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Petrol Cars, Study Finds Plug-in hybrid cars release almost five times greater planet-heating pollution than lab-reported data indicate, as per a new analysis. Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Actual CO2 Output Statistics shows that PHEVs release only 19% less CO2 than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit organization. That differs sharply with lab tests, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions. Analysts studied data from in-vehicle energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021. “Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a lead analyst participating in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as petrol cars.” Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap Analysts linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery mode compared to overall distance. The team determined that only 27% of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official assumptions suggested over four-fifths. Additionally, when running in EV mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. This happened because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to operate alone, leading to engines burning gasoline for nearly a third of the distance covered in electric mode. Regulatory and Financial Implications Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU average fleet CO2 standards. Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 extra annually in operating costs than is assumed under lab conditions. “The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” commented a automotive expert. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating costs.” Political Discussion and Automotive Lobbying Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO2 standards. A planned prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with large car manufacturing. Some senior politicians have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” option to include in the legislation. An external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions. “These findings demonstrate, without question, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO2 emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this evidence.”