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PHEVs emit nearly 5x more planet-heating emissions than lab-reported data indicate, according to a recent report.

Widening Discrepancy Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release only 19% less CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit group. That contrasts sharply with lab tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO₂ output from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab estimates, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a lead analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline vehicles.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Researchers linked most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles travelled in battery power relative to total distance. The team found that only a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions assumed over four-fifths.

Even, when running in EV mode, pollution levels were well above lab estimates. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful enough to function alone, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly a third of the travel covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying adherence with EU fleet-average CO₂ standards.

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

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously way off the truth,” stated a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political discussions as automakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and opposition from member states with large car industries.

Several senior officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.

An external energy economics specialist, who was unaffiliated with the study, described the analysis a “very useful addition” after years in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was too little data to properly assess actual emissions.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap in official and real-world PHEV energy use and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” they stated. “Any regulatory adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and considering this data.”