Plug in Hybrid electric Cars Pollute Nearly as Much as Petrol Cars, Report Reveals
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release nearly 5x greater global warming pollution than lab-reported data show, according to a new analysis.
Widening Discrepancy In Lab and Actual CO2 Output
Statistics shows that PHEVs release just one-fifth less CO2 than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy group. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which assumed a 75% reduction in emissions.
Analysts examined information from onboard energy use meters of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team discovered that actual CO2 output from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.
“Actual CO2 output are increasing, while official emissions are decreasing,” said a lead researcher participating in the report. “This gap is widening and poses a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute almost as much as gasoline cars.”
Key Factors Driving the Discrepancy
Analysts attributed the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the percentage of kilometers driven in electric power compared to overall distance. They found that just 27% of driving was completed in electric mode, while lab assumptions assumed over four-fifths.
Even, when operating in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above lab projections. This happened because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, leading to engines burning fossil fuels for almost one-third of the travel completed in electric mode.
Regulatory and Financial Implications
According to calculations, the lowballing of PHEV CO2 output allowed four large carmaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially simplifying adherence with European Union average fleet CO2 targets.
Furthermore, owners of PHEVs would spend about €500 more annually in running costs than would be assumed under lab tests.
“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are obviously far from the mark,” commented a transport expert. “Buyers are being duped into thinking that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving costs. In reality, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard petrol and diesel cars in terms of energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and operating costs.”
Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying
Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been drawn back into policy debates as automakers have pressed the European Union to weaken CO2 targets. A proposed prohibition on sales of new internal combustion cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car industry and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive industries.
Some senior politicians have suggested PHEVs as a possible “compromise” option to introduce in the legislation.
One independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after years in which segments of the automotive industry argued there was too little information to properly assess real-world emissions.
“The results show, without question, that the difference between lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 output is significantly larger than for gasoline or conventional cars,” the expert stated. “Any regulatory changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that evidence.”
