European clean transport think tank Transport & Environment says plug-in hybrids are “a dangerous distraction” and not a “climate solution” after publishing a new study that highlights the high pollution levels from plug in hybrid cars.
T&E commissioned the Technical University of Graz to independently test three new popular, average-sized plug-in hybrids – the BMW 3 Series, the Peugeot 308 and the Renault Megane – on the road.
What they found was shocking: The real-world emissions of the tested plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were 85-114 g/km above the “artificially low” official ratings of 27-36 grams.
This represents real-world emissions of the PHEVs being around three times higher than claimed by the manufacturers.
Even worse, T&E says that when not charged, in-city driving caused the emissions to soar up to a staggering 7 times higher than official values.
“When tested with an empty battery in the city, CO2 emissions were still very high (~200g/km) for the BMW and the Peugeot. This is equivalent to the emissions of the VW Tiguan SUV,” says Transport & Environment.
In addition to the misleading emissions figures, T&E says the electric range in the BMW model was 26% lower than the company’s official specification and that the Peugeot’s range was 47% lower than expected.
“The electric range of PHEVs is still limited. When driving around the city of Graz, the electric range of all three PHEVs was less than 50km.”
T&E says PHEVs aren’t suitable for clean cities.
“PHEVs offer cities few climate or air quality benefits because there is no guarantee that they will be driven electrically,” it says.
“Short electric range and no fast charging, risk PHEVs rapidly running out of charge in geo-fenced zero emission zones. This puts the integrity of future zero emission zones in cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and London at risk and limits their climate and air quality benefits.”
Daniel Bleakley is a clean technology researcher and advocate with a background in engineering and business. He has a strong interest in electric vehicles, renewable energy, manufacturing and public policy.