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PHEVs produce almost 5x more planet-heating emissions than official data show, as per a recent analysis.

Growing Gap Between Official and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, according to research carried out by a advocacy organization. This differs significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Analysts examined information from in-vehicle fuel consumption meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Real-world emissions are rising, while official emissions are falling,” said a senior analyst participating in the study. “This gap is growing and poses a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute almost as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Driving the Emissions Gap

Analysts linked most of the gap to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of miles driven in electric mode compared to total distance. The team determined that just a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while lab assumptions suggested 84%.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission amounts were well above lab estimates. That happened because EV motors were not strong sufficient to operate independently, resulting to engines burning fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the distance covered in EV mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed several major carmaker companies to avoid more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing adherence with European Union fleet-average CO₂ standards.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs would spend about €500 extra per year in operating costs than would be estimated under lab conditions.

“The bold claims that automakers often promote about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the truth,” commented a transport analyst. “Consumers are being misled into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are benefiting the planet and cutting money. Actually, PHEVs are little improved than regular gas and diesel vehicles in terms of fuel consumption, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to weaken CO₂ targets. A planned ban on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from member states with significant car industries.

Several high-level politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” solution to include in the legislation.

An external energy economics expert, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “very useful addition” after years in which segments of the automotive sector claimed there was too little data to properly assess real-world emissions.

“These findings show, without question, that the difference in official and real-world PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much greater than for gasoline or diesel cars,” the expert stated. “All policy adjustments regarding PHEVs should be implemented with extreme care and in the light of that evidence.”