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PHEVs emit nearly five times more global warming pollution than lab-reported data show, as per a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual Emissions

Data shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a non-profit organization. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab figures, up from 3.5 times in 2021.

“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while lab-reported emissions are falling,” stated a senior analyst involved in the report. “This gap is growing and poses a serious issue. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Key Reasons Driving the Discrepancy

Analysts linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles travelled in battery mode relative to total distance. They found that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when running in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than official estimates. That occurred because electric motors were not strong sufficient to function independently, resulting to combustion motors using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance completed in EV mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV emissions enabled several major automaker companies to escape over €5bn in penalties from 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 more per year in running expenses than is assumed under lab conditions.

“The strong claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are clearly way off the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and operating costs.”

Policy Debate and Industry Lobbying

Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have lobbied the EU to weaken CO₂ standards. A proposed ban on new internal combustion vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the car industry and resistance from EU countries with significant automotive manufacturing.

Several senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to include in the legislation.

An independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the report a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the automotive sector claimed there was insufficient data to properly evaluate actual emissions.

“These findings demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is significantly larger than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of that data.”