Plug-in Hybrids emit 6x more pollution than claimed, and they're getting dirtier

Key Points:

• A new study by Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in Europe emit significantly more pollution in real-world use than official government estimates, with emissions rising 5% from 2023 to 2024, making PHEVs only 14% cleaner than fossil-fueled cars on average.
• The discrepancy arises because government testing relies on "utility factors" that overestimate how often drivers use electric mode, whereas in reality, many PHEV owners rarely plug in, leading to much higher gasoline use and emissions.
• Automakers have lobbied against updating these utility factors to reflect real-world usage more accurately, as higher emissions would reduce their ability to claim environmental benefits and could impact sales of PHEVs.
• This situation echoes previous emissions scandals like Dieselgate, highlighting the ongoing issue of automakers manipulating testing standards to appear greener while delaying the transition to fully electric vehicles.
• Experts warn that continuing to rely on misleading PHEV data harms consumer interests, public health, and Europe's competitiveness in the global electric vehicle market, urging policymakers to resist industry pressure and adopt stricter, evidence-based emissions accounting.