Plug-in hybrids emit six times more CO₂ than advertised

The level of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from plug-in hybrids is much higher than stated in official documents. This was reported by the environmental organization Transport & Environment with reference to data from the European Environment Agency. We are talking about six times exceeding the official laboratory test indicators.

Moreover, the difference between real-world carbon dioxide emissions from plug-in hybrids and laboratory test results has actually increased every year since real-world emissions measurements began in 2021.

Information collected by the European Environment Agency on 2024 vehicles suggests that in real-world driving conditions, such hybrids emit around 145 grams of CO₂ per kilometer driven. But official documents list only 24 grams. A year earlier, these figures were 138 and 28 grams, respectively. So in one year alone, actual emissions rose 5 percent, even as manufacturers reported improved performance and a 15 percent drop in test scores.

With emissions of 145 grams per kilometer, plug-in hybrids are only 14 percent more environmentally friendly than conventional gasoline or diesel cars, down from 17 percent a year ago. Thus, in terms of environmental pollution, they are rapidly approaching traditional cars.

Automotive director at Transport & Environment, Lucien Mathieu, called plug-in hybrids one of the biggest deceptions in the auto industry. “They are advertised as an environmentally friendly solution, but in practice they cause serious damage to the environment. They are also a major deception for consumers, who end up paying much more for fuel than they expected,” he said.

Information on actual emissions was obtained using on-board fuel meters installed on 220 thousand vehicles. Laboratory cycles, as experts note, do not reflect the usual driving style.