Plug-in hybrids emit five times more pollutants than they declare

Plug-in hybrids emit almost five times more carbon dioxide than during laboratory tests on the road, reports the British daily “The Guardian”. Although they usually cost several dozen thousand zlotys more than classic hybrids, in practice they are only slightly more ecological than petrol engines.

Such conclusions are supported by a study conducted by the Transport and Environment group, which analyzed the exhaust emissions of 800,000 cars. cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2023. According to them, in 2021, plug-in hybrids, i.e. those capable of charging with electricity from a socket, emitted more than three times more carbon dioxide than previous laboratory tests showed. In 2023, the difference was fivefold.

Electric driving only temporarily

As the researchers emphasize, it results from incorrect assumptions during previous laboratory tests. It was assumed that PHEV hybrids travel 84% on the electric motor. routes. In fact, this rate is more than three times lower and amounts to only 27%.

As a result, cars that were supposed to be a compromise between petrol and electric cars emit only 19 percent less. less carbon dioxide than combustion cars, and not by 75%, as expected by their manufacturers. This problem is especially visible in models equipped with weaker electric units.

According to the calculations presented in the report, underestimated carbon dioxide emissions in the analyzed period, which made it easier to meet EU limits, allowed the four largest companies to save EUR 5 billion. In turn, owners of plug-in hybrids statistically spent about EUR 500 more per year on maintaining their cars.

Charging from a socket is several dozen thousand zlotys more expensive

In Europe – according to data from the ACEA association – plug-in hybrids currently constitute less than 9%. new car market. Cars with this drive are gaining more and more supporters also in Poland. During the first three quarters of 2025, nearly 21.5 thousand were added to the database of the Central Register of Vehicles and Drivers. new cars with this type of drive – almost twice (+97.9%) more than in the same period last year. Their share in the new car market increased from 2.3 to 5 percent during this time.

Plug-in hybrids are usually several dozen thousand zlotys more expensive than classic ones and especially the so-called soft hybrids (MHEV). The first examples among the most popular plug-in hybrids in Poland: Hyundai Tucson (PLN 23,000 difference), Toyota Rav4 (PLN 39,8 thousand difference), Volvo XC60 (PLN 48,000 difference between PHEV and MHEV).

Taking into account subsidies for electric cars, hybrids can be more expensive than classic electric cars, which we describe in more detail in the article “Prices of electric cars have slowed down. After subsidies, electric cars are cheaper than petrol cars.”

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