Plug-in hybrids show rising gap between real and official CO2 emissions

A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals a growing discrepancy between official and real-world CO2 emissions for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in Europe. Analysis of approximately 920,000 vehicles registered between 2021 and 2023 shows that real-world emissions were 3.5 times higher than official values in 2021, rising to 4.6 times higher in 2023. This gap persists despite increasing electric ranges, as drivers charge batteries less frequently and rely more on internal combustion engines than EU testing models assume.

ICCT Director Peter Mock noted that the current methodology relies on optimistic assumptions regarding the share of electric driving. This discrepancy may reduce the appeal of PHEVs as a tool for manufacturers to meet EU emission targets.

Separately, a large-scale study by Aviloo involving 500,000 diagnostics across 20 electric vehicle models indicates that EV batteries generally age better than expected. Most models retain over 90% of their capacity even after 150,000 km, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Mercedes EQA performing particularly well. However, some models with less sophisticated thermal management, such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe, showed slightly higher degradation rates.