A recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute has revealed a surprising truth about plug-in hybrids: they consume three times more fuel than manufacturers claim. This large-scale analysis, which examined around a million vehicles, found that plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) use significantly more fuel on the road than officially stated. The study, believed to be the most comprehensive of its kind, utilized data transmitted wirelessly by PHEVs from various manufacturers while they were in use. The cars, produced between 2021 and 2023, revealed precise and real-world fuel consumption, contrasting the figures stated in their official EU-approved certification.
Environmental groups have long been skeptical of manufacturers' claims, which typically market PHEVs as energy-efficient with fuel consumption as low as one to two liters per 100km. However, the study found that these vehicles require an average of six liters per 100km, a 300% increase over the stated figure. The main reason for this discrepancy, according to the Fraunhofer Institute, is the frequent switching between the electric engine and the combustion engine.
The study also highlighted the varying fuel consumption levels among different PHEV models. Porsche hybrids, for instance, consumed around seven liters per 100km when the electric motor was engaged, significantly more than non-PHEVs in combustion engine mode. The lowest fuel consumption was found in Kia, Toyota, Ford, and Renault vehicles, which often used under one liter per 100km, or 85% less fuel than the Porsche.
The scientists have called for EU regulators to adjust their measurements to reflect real-world findings, urging stricter controls on fuel consumption measurement. The CO2 limits for car manufacturers' fleets may need to be urgently adjusted based on these findings. However, the EU Commission, responsible for CO2 limits, declined to comment. The German Association of the Automotive Industry defended the existing measures, stating they are reliable. This controversy invites discussion: do the current measures accurately reflect real-world fuel consumption? What should be done to ensure transparency and accountability in the automotive industry?
