Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Gasoline Vehicles, Report Reveals
Plug-in hybrid cars release almost five times greater global warming pollution than official data show, as per a recent report.
Growing Discrepancy In Official and Actual Emissions
Data shows that PHEVs release only one-fifth lower CO2 than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on research conducted by a non-profit organization. That differs significantly with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.
Researchers studied data from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 cars sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than official estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021.
“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” said a senior analyst involved in the report. “That gap is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs emit almost as much as petrol cars.”
Key Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap
Researchers linked most of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles travelled in electric mode compared to overall mileage. They determined that just 27% of travel was completed in electric mode, while official assumptions suggested over four-fifths.
Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than official projections. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, leading to engines using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance completed in EV mode.
Regulatory and Economic Implications
Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output enabled four major carmaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union fleet-average CO2 standards.
Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 extra annually in operating costs than would be estimated under lab conditions.
“The bold statements that automakers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” commented a automotive expert. “Buyers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO2 production, and operating costs.”
Political Debate and Automotive Pressure
Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO2 targets. A proposed ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and opposition from member states with large car industries.
Some high-level officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the legislation.
One external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, described the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the car sector argued there was insufficient data to properly assess real-world emissions.
“The results show, beyond any doubt, that the gap in lab and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is much, much larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “All policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of that data.”
