Plug-in Hybrids Emission Discrepancy: A Controversial Fix
Background
Plug-in hybrids registered in the EU in 2024 emitted an average 145 grams of CO2 per kilometre, significantly higher than their official rating of 24 grams according to Transport and Environment’s analysis. This discrepancy has been growing annually since monitoring began. Carmakers are now lobbying to cancel a planned correction due in 2027.
The Discrepancy Unveiled
Lucien Mathieu, T&E’s cars director, describes plug-in hybrids as one of the auto industry’s "greatest greenwashing stunts." The issue lies in the utility factor, an assumption about how much a car is driven on electricity. The lower the assumed electric usage, the lower the official rating.
Industry Response
The Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) and Horse, a Renault-Geely powertrain venture, are advocating for the 2027 correction to be cancelled. They argue that tighter utility factor requirements would harm the industry, especially as Brussels is already considering allowing plug-in hybrids past 2035.
Implications and Costs
A leaked industry paper suggests a shift to an 80% target for the 2030 fleet average, with five-year averaging and dropping the utility factor correction. T&E estimates this could result in 74 billion euros in extra oil imports between 2026 and 2035, as well as up to 2.4 gigatonnes of additional CO2 emissions by 2050.
The Debate
The Council will debate the issue on October 12, with a vote in Parliament scheduled for November. With plug-in hybrids making up 9.8% of EU registrations in the first half of the year, the discussion is timely and critical as Europe navigates its path to sustainability.