Plug-in hybrids emit six times official CO₂ figures, costing drivers €680 extra annually, Transport & Environment finds
By Eve
Plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in 2024 emitted around six times their official CO₂ figures in real-world use, up from five times in 2023, according to a Transport & Environment analysis of European Environment Agency data. The gap adds €680 in extra annual fuel costs for the average PHEV driver and shows real-world emissions just 14% lower than conventional combustion cars, despite official test figures suggesting an 83% reduction. T&E urges governments to uphold the next correction of PHEV CO₂ accounting rules, noting that the first correction in 2025 to 2026 has already encouraged manufacturers to fit larger batteries, with longer electric range offsetting three quarters of the utility factor related rise in official CO₂ emissions for upgraded models.
Why it matters
The widening gap between official and real-world PHEV emissions affects procurement decisions for fleet operators and public sector buyers relying on CO₂ figures to meet sustainability targets. Upcoming regulatory corrections to utility factor calculations will drive demand for PHEVs with larger batteries and longer electric range, influencing charging infrastructure requirements for workplace and depot installations.
Source
- Original title
- “Misleading Plug-in Hybrid Emissions Figures Risk Cheating Consumers, T&E Warns”
- Published
- 14 October 2026
- Updated
- 15 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Policy & Market
- Place
- Global
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