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Plug in Hybrid Cars Pollute Almost as Much as Petrol Vehicles, Study Reveals
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles release nearly 5x greater global warming emissions than lab-reported figures show, according to a recent report.
Widening Gap Between Lab and Real-World CO2 Output
Statistics reveals that PHEVs release just one-fifth lower CO2 than conventional gas and diesel vehicles, according to analysis conducted by a advocacy organization. This contrasts significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a 75% reduction in pollution.
Analysts examined data from in-vehicle energy use monitors of 800,000 vehicles registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that real-world CO2 emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were 4.9 times higher than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.
“Real-world CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” stated a lead analyst participating in the report. “This discrepancy is widening and creates a significant issue. Consequently, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as petrol cars.”
Key Factors Driving the Discrepancy
Analysts attributed most of the difference to inflated estimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of kilometers travelled in battery power relative to overall mileage. The team found that just a quarter of driving was completed in electric mode, while official estimates suggested over four-fifths.
Additionally, when running in electric mode, pollution amounts were well above official estimates. This occurred because electric motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, leading to combustion motors using fossil fuels for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.
Policy and Financial Consequences
According to estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions enabled four major automaker companies to avoid over €5bn in fines between 2021 and 2023, by artificially easing compliance with EU average fleet CO2 targets.
Additionally, drivers of PHEVs could pay about €500 more per year in operating costs than would be assumed under lab tests.
“The strong claims that manufacturers like to make about their PHEV vehicles are clearly far from the truth,” stated a transport expert. “Buyers are being misled into believing that by buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and cutting costs. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly better than standard gas and diesel vehicles in terms of energy use, CO2 emissions, and operating expenses.”
Political Debate and Automotive Lobbying
Hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into policy discussions as carmakers have pressed the European Union to relax CO2 targets. A proposed prohibition on new combustion engine cars in 2035 has faced heavy lobbying from the car sector and opposition from EU countries with significant automotive industries.
Several senior officials have suggested PHEVs as a possible “flexibility” option to include in the regulation.
One independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the study, called the report a “very useful contribution” after years in which parts of the automotive industry argued there was insufficient information to properly evaluate actual CO2 output.
“The results show, without question, that the difference in lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO2 output is much, much greater than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert said. “All regulatory adjustments concerning PHEVs should be made with extreme caution and considering that evidence.”
Brian Hernandez
A passionate writer and shopping enthusiast with a keen eye for quality products and lifestyle trends.
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