PHEVs burn 5 times more CO2 than manufacturers claim: comment

Commenting on new analysis from Transport & Environment that PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) burn five times more CO2 than their manufacturers claim [1] Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “The bold claims that manufacturers like to make about their plug-in hybrid vehicles are clearly way off the mark. Consumers are being duped into believing that, in buying a PHEV, they are helping the environment and saving money. In reality, PHEVs are little better than regular petrol and diesel cars when it comes to the fuel they consume, the CO2 they produce and the money they cost to run.
 
"However, the Government has recently weakened its EV sales targets, which could incentivise the sale of PHEVs at the expense of EVs. Given how much more fuel these vehicles burn than their manufacturers claim, the cost of this decision to the environment and to drivers’ wallets could be significant. Pushing the sale of vehicles which burn five times more fuel than their manufacturers claim certainly has echoes of the infamous Dieselgate scandal.
 
"Rather than distracting people with this outdated and expensive technology, the Government and car manufacturers could instead focus on helping regular families make the move to EVs - which, besides offering genuine reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, are capable of saving their owners hundreds, even thousands, of pounds a year in running costs".

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1. The analysis is published by T&E on Thursday, 16 October: https://www.transportenvironment.org/contact-us 

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net