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PHEVs release nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than official data show, as per a new report.

Growing Discrepancy Between Lab and Actual Emissions

Data shows that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, based on research carried out by a non-profit organization. That contrasts sharply with lab estimates, which suggested a 75% decrease in pollution.

Researchers studied information from onboard fuel consumption meters of 800,000 vehicles registered in the EU from 2021 and 2023. The team found that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than official estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official emissions are decreasing,” stated a lead researcher involved in the study. “That gap is growing and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts linked the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the ratio of miles driven in battery power compared to overall mileage. They found that just 27% of driving was done in EV mode, while lab estimates suggested 84%.

Even, when operating in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than official estimates. That occurred because electric motors were not strong enough to operate alone, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Financial Consequences

Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions allowed four large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying compliance with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Additionally, owners of PHEVs would pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be assumed under laboratory conditions.

“The strong claims that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the mark,” commented a transport expert. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have recently been brought back into political discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and opposition from member states with large automotive industries.

Some high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” option to introduce in the regulation.

One independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the research, described the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately assess real-world CO2 output.

“These findings show, beyond any doubt, that the gap between official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” they said. “All policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering that evidence.”