A study conducted by Transport and Environment shows that plug-in hybrid vehicles emit only 19% less CO₂ than gasoline cars, contrary to official estimates.

A study conducted by Transport and Environment highlighted that plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) emit 19% less CO₂ than gasoline and diesel cars, a significantly smaller difference than the official estimate of 75%. Analyzing data from the fuel meters of cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023, researchers found that real emissions are 4.9 times higher than those reported in laboratory tests. This discrepancy is explained by the overestimation of the percentage of kilometers driven electrically, which is only 27% compared to the 84% estimated by manufacturers.

The study emphasizes that, although hybrid vehicles are promoted as transition solutions towards electrification, they pollute almost as much as traditional cars. It is also mentioned that major European car groups have avoided fines of over 5 billion euros by underestimating real emissions. Additionally, PHEV drivers could pay about 500 euros more per year for fuel than tests suggest. Automotive expert Eugen Cocea warns that if the electrification schedule is followed, the days of hybrid vehicles and internal combustion engines are numbered.