Plug-in hybrids pollute up to three times more than advertised, even when fully charged, and emit five to seven times as much CO2 when the engine is running, according to a new study commissioned by Belgian NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) and conducted by the University of Technology in Graz, Austria
The study measured emissions from three popular models: the BMW 3 series, Peugeot 308, and Renault Megane. Like many plug-in hybrids, these cars started as gas/diesel-powered models and then a battery was added on to improve emissions testing performance and mileage
Each of the vehicles were tested in real-world situations, in and around Graz, Austria. In all of the tests, the cars performed worse than official WLTP ratings would indicate and in fact T&E tested the cars in their all-electric modes as well and found them lacking. This is not the first time T&E has done a similar study. In 2020, it commissioned another test on the BMW X5, Volvo XC90 and Mitsubishi Outlander, all of which, again, polluted much more than official testing suggests
Source: Electrek: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The article concludes (amongst other things) that PHEVs should not be treated as zero emission and that privately owned PHEVs should not receive purchase subsidies. PHEVs are an attractive solution for automakers and drivers because they represent a middle-ground which allows for emissions reductions but doesn’t require nearly as many manufacturing or habitual changes from those respective groups, and they reduce emissions as compared to gas- or diesel-only cars when used correctly. However, both ICCT and T&E’s recommendations point out – it still seems apparent that BEVs are the better choice PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
