Plug in Hybrid Vehicles Emit Nearly as Heavily as Gasoline Cars, Report Finds

PHEVs emit almost 5x more global warming emissions than lab-reported data show, according to a recent analysis.

Widening Gap Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Data reveals that PHEVs release just 19% lower CO₂ than traditional gas and diesel vehicles, according to research conducted by a non-profit group. That differs significantly with laboratory tests, which suggested a three-quarters decrease in pollution.

Researchers examined data from onboard energy use monitors of 800,000 cars sold in the EU between 2021 and 2023. They discovered that actual CO₂ emissions from PHEVs in 2023 were nearly five times greater than lab figures, up from three and a half times in 2021.

“Actual CO2 output are rising, while official figures are falling,” said a lead researcher involved in the report. “That discrepancy is widening and creates a significant problem. As a result, PHEVs pollute nearly as heavily as gasoline cars.”

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Analysts attributed the majority of the gap to overestimates of the “utility factor” – the percentage of miles driven in battery power compared to total distance. The team determined that just a quarter of driving was done in EV mode, whereas official estimates suggested over four-fifths.

Even, when running in electric mode, emission levels were significantly higher than lab projections. That occurred because EV motors were insufficiently powerful sufficient to function alone, resulting to engines using gasoline for almost one-third of the distance covered in electric mode.

Policy and Economic Implications

Based on estimates, the underestimation of PHEV emissions allowed four large carmaker groups to escape over €5bn in penalties between 2021 and 2023, by falsely simplifying compliance with EU average fleet CO₂ targets.

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

“The bold claims that manufacturers often promote about their plug-in hybrid cars are clearly far from the truth,” stated a automotive expert. “Buyers are being duped into believing that by purchasing a PHEV, they are helping the planet and saving money. Actually, PHEVs are only slightly improved than regular petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and running costs.”

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

Plug-in hybrid vehicles have lately been drawn back into political debates as automakers have pressed the EU to relax CO₂ standards. A proposed prohibition on sales of new combustion engine vehicles in 2035 has faced heavy pressure from the automotive sector and resistance from EU countries with significant car industries.

Several high-level officials have proposed PHEVs as a potential “flexibility” option to include in the legislation.

One independent energy policy expert, who was not involved with the research, called the analysis a “highly valuable addition” after years in which parts of the car sector claimed there was insufficient information to accurately evaluate real-world emissions.

“The results demonstrate, beyond any doubt, that the gap between lab and actual PHEV fuel consumption and CO₂ output is much, much larger than for petrol or diesel vehicles,” the expert stated. “All policy changes regarding PHEVs should be made with utmost caution and considering that data.”

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07 Sep 2026

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Plug in Hybrid Vehicles Emit Nearly as Heavily as Gasoline Cars, Report Finds

Widening Gap Between Official and Real-World CO2 Output

Primary Reasons Behind the Discrepancy

Policy and Economic Implications

Policy Debate and Automotive Lobbying

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