Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Almost as Much as Petrol Cars, Study Finds
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles produce nearly five times more planet-heating pollution than lab-reported figures show, as per a recent report.
Growing Gap In Official and Actual CO2 Output
Data reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% lower CO2 than traditional petrol and diesel cars, based on analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.
Analysts studied information from in-vehicle fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 cars sold in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than official estimates, increased from 3.5 times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are decreasing,” stated a lead analyst participating in the study. “That gap is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline vehicles.”
Primary Reasons Driving the Discrepancy
Analysts linked the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in electric power relative to total mileage. The team determined that only a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while official estimates suggested over four-fifths.
Even, when running in electric mode, pollution levels were significantly higher than official estimates. This happened because electric motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.
Policy and Financial Implications
According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output enabled several major automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO2 standards.
Additionally, owners of PHEVs would spend approximately €500 extra per year in running costs than would be assumed under laboratory tests.
“The strong claims that automakers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are obviously far from the mark,” stated a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. In reality, PHEVs are little improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO2 production, and running expenses.”
Policy Debate and Automotive Pressure
Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn again into policy debates as carmakers have pressed the EU to weaken CO2 targets. A planned ban on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the car sector and resistance from member states with large automotive manufacturing.
Several high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.
An independent energy economics expert, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was too little data to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.
“The results show, without question, that the gap in lab and real-world PHEV energy use and CO2 emissions is significantly larger than for petrol or diesel cars,” they said. “All regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost care and in the light of this data.”
