Hybrid cars have been described as a much better alternative than petrol and diesel cars from an environmental point of view as they are also powered by electric motors or batteries.
But now it may turn out that plug-in hybrids are significantly worse for the environment than previously thought.
The British company Emissions Analytics has, on behalf of the European environmental organization NGO Transport and Environment, T&E, carried out emission tests on the BMW X5, Volvo XC60 Recharge and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV models, comparing pollution levels during different driving scenarios.
"Fake electric cars"
When the cars were used with fully charged batteries, they could emit between 28 and 89 percent more carbon dioxide than the car manufacturers stated.
And when the cars were tested in battery charger mode, that is, when the batteries were charged in operation, the emissions were three to twelve times higher than what the car manufacturers promised, according to T&E.
- Charging hybrids are fake electric cars that have been built to pass laboratory tests and receive tax subsidies, not for real driving.
Our tests show that they pollute more than what is said in the marketing, even when they are fully charged under optimal conditions, says Julia Poliscanova, vehicle expert at T&E.
To be banned in 15 years
The study was presented just days after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that all cars powered by petrol or diesel alone will be banned by 2030 in the country.
Hybrid cars will also be phased out faster than planned, but according to the new plans can continue to be sold until 2035. But T&E believes that plug-in hybrids should be banned much earlier than that.
- If you do not drive the cars extremely environmentally friendly, the emission levels will skyrocket.
Governments should immediately stop financing these cars with taxpayers' money, says Poliscanova.
The tests are criticized
However, Mike Hawes, CEO of the motor industry industry organization SMMT, does not agree with T&E.
- According to the internationally regulated tests, they show that plug-in hybrids emit significantly less pollutants compared to pure petrol and diesel cars, he says.
A Mitsubishi spokesman tells This is Money that they are skeptical of the tests.
- We question all results where we have no insight into either testing or method.
Javascript is disabled
Javascript must be turned on to play video
Read more about browser support
The browser is not supported
SVT does not support playback in your browser.
We therefore recommend that you switch to another browser.
Read more about browser support
Which car is really best for the environment?
SVT has straightened it out together with Katja Hagström.
Photo: SVT Archive