🔗 Share this article Plug-in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Nearly as Much as Gasoline Vehicles, Report Reveals Plug-in hybrid cars produce nearly 5x more global warming emissions than official data show, according to a new report. Growing Gap Between Lab and Real-World Emissions Statistics shows that PHEVs emit just one-fifth lower CO2 than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to analysis carried out by a non-profit organization. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which assumed a three-quarters reduction in pollution. Researchers examined information from in-vehicle energy use monitors of eight hundred thousand cars sold in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times higher than lab estimates, up from 3.5 times in 2021. “Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported emissions are decreasing,” said a senior analyst involved in the study. “That discrepancy is growing and creates a serious problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as petrol cars.” Primary Factors Behind the Emissions Gap Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric mode relative to overall distance. The team determined that just a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab estimates assumed over four-fifths. Additionally, when operating in EV mode, pollution levels were well above official estimates. That happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate independently, leading to combustion motors burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance completed in electric mode. Regulatory and Financial Implications Based on calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large automaker companies to escape over €5bn in fines from 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU fleet-average CO2 targets. Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 more per year in operating costs than is assumed under lab conditions. “The strong statements that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating expenses.” Policy Discussion and Industry Lobbying Hybrid vehicles have recently been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the EU to relax CO2 standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with significant automotive industries. Several high-level officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the regulation. An independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, described the report a “highly valuable contribution” after a long period in which parts of the automotive sector argued there was insufficient data to accurately evaluate real-world CO2 output. “The results show, beyond any doubt, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 output is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert said. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be implemented with utmost caution and in the light of that evidence.”