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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release nearly 5x more planet-heating pollution than official data show, as per a new report.

Growing Gap In Lab and Real-World Emissions

Statistics reveals that PHEVs emit only 19% less CO₂ than conventional gas and diesel cars, based on analysis conducted by a advocacy group. That contrasts significantly with laboratory estimates, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.

Researchers examined information from onboard energy use meters of 800,000 vehicles sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. The team found that real-world CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than lab figures, increased from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual emissions are rising, while lab-reported figures are decreasing,” said a senior researcher participating in the study. “This gap is widening and creates a serious issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as much as petrol vehicles.”

Key Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Researchers attributed most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers travelled in battery power compared to total distance. The team found that only a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, while lab estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Additionally, when running in EV mode, pollution levels were well above lab projections. This occurred because EV motors were not strong enough to function independently, resulting to engines using fossil fuels for nearly one-third of the travel covered in electric mode.

Regulatory and Financial Consequences

Based on calculations, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed four large automaker companies to escape more than €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with European Union average fleet CO₂ targets.

Furthermore, drivers of PHEVs could pay approximately €500 extra per year in operating costs than is estimated under lab conditions.

“The bold statements that manufacturers often promote about their PHEV vehicles are clearly way off the mark,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being duped into thinking that by buying a PHEV, they are benefiting the environment and cutting costs. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars in terms of fuel use, CO₂ production, and running expenses.”

Policy Discussion and Automotive Pressure

Hybrid vehicles have recently been brought back into policy discussions as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ targets. A planned prohibition on new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from EU countries with large automotive manufacturing.

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

An independent energy policy specialist, who was not involved with the study, described the analysis a “very useful contribution” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little information to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.

“The results demonstrate, without question, that the difference between official and actual PHEV energy use and CO₂ emissions is significantly greater than for gasoline or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and considering this evidence.”