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Eco · Pollution · published 2026-10-18 · via SustainabilityOnline

Study finds plug-in hybrids emit far more CO2 on the road than official tests show

A Transport & Environment analysis reports that plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in Europe in 2024 emitted much more CO2 in real-world driving than official tests indicate. The study says their actual emissions were only 14% below conventional internal-combustion and hybrid cars, while official figures imply an 83% reduction. It attributes the gap to combustion engines running for about one-third of distance even when batteries are in use, and warns that freezing EU utility-factor corrections would understate emissions and weaken 2030 EV sales targets.

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Transport & Environment examined 20 popular plug-in hybrid models, representing 51% of the 2025 sales market. It says 2024 European PHEVs produced real-world CO2 only 14% below conventional internal-combustion and hybrid cars, while official tests imply an 83% reduction. The engine reportedly runs for about one-third of distance

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Plug-in hybrids generate more emissions than previously thought.” Browse more stories.