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Plug-In Hybrids Use Far More Fuel in Real Driving, Study Challenges EU CO2 Treatment

Transport & Environment urges tighter EU utilisation factors after finding only roughly 20% real‑world CO2 cuts.

Overview

  • Using European Environment Agency onboard-sensor data from about 800,000 PHEVs registered between 2021 and 2023, the analysis finds average fuel use of roughly 5.9 l/100 km versus 1.5 l/100 km under WLTP.
  • T&E estimates owners spend about €500 more on fuel each year than WLTP-based expectations suggest.
  • Small electric ranges, infrequent charging and underpowered electric motors lead combustion engines to run much of the time, with AEE data indicating the engine supplies energy for about one-third of distance even in so-called electric mode.
  • The report concludes PHEVs deliver only around 19–20% lower CO2 per kilometer than comparable petrol or diesel cars, undermining claims they are near‑zero solutions after 2035.
  • With registrations rising—about 631,000 in Europe over eight months and 72,500 in France year to date—the findings heighten stakes for EU decisions on 2025 and 2027 utilisation factors and how these models count toward fleet targets.