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Plug-in Hybrid electric Cars Emit Almost as Heavily as Gasoline Cars, Report Finds
Plug-in hybrid cars release almost five times more global warming emissions than official data indicate, as per a new report.
Growing Discrepancy In Lab and Real-World CO2 Output
Data shows that PHEVs emit only one-fifth lower CO2 than conventional petrol and diesel vehicles, based on analysis carried out by a non-profit group. That differs sharply with lab tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in emissions.
Analysts examined information from onboard fuel consumption monitors of eight hundred thousand vehicles registered in Europe from 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times greater than official estimates, increased from three and a half times in 2021.
“Actual emissions are increasing, while lab-reported figures are falling,” said a lead analyst involved in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and poses a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs emit nearly as heavily as petrol vehicles.”
Primary Reasons Behind the Emissions Gap
Analysts attributed the majority of the difference to overestimates of the “electric driving share” – the ratio of kilometers driven in electric power relative to total mileage. The team found that only 27% of travel was done in EV mode, whereas lab assumptions suggested 84%.
Even, when running in EV mode, pollution amounts were significantly higher than lab estimates. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, leading to combustion motors using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.
Regulatory and Economic Consequences
Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV CO2 output allowed several large carmaker groups to escape over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by falsely easing compliance with EU average fleet CO2 targets.
Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could spend about €500 more per year in running costs than is assumed under lab conditions.
“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV cars are obviously far from the truth,” commented a automotive analyst. “Consumers are being misled into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO2 production, and running expenses.”
Policy Debate and Industry Pressure
Plug-in hybrid cars have lately been brought again into political debates as carmakers have lobbied the European Union to relax CO2 standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced intense pressure from the automotive industry and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive industries.
Several senior officials have proposed plug-in hybrids as a potential “compromise” solution to introduce in the legislation.
One external energy policy expert, who was unaffiliated with the research, called the report a “highly valuable addition” after a long period in which parts of the automotive industry claimed there was too little data to properly assess actual emissions.
“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the difference in official and actual PHEV energy use and CO2 output is much, much greater than for petrol or conventional vehicles,” they stated. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with utmost care and in the light of this evidence.”
Evan Burton
Elara is a passionate storyteller and writing coach, sharing her experiences to inspire others in their creative pursuits.
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