Data shows PHEVs emit just 19% less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars, an analysis by the non-profit advocacy group Transport and Environment found on Thursday. Under laboratory tests, they were assumed to be 75% less polluting.
Data shows PHEVs emit just 19% less CO2 than petrol and diesel cars, an analysis by the non-profit advocacy group Transport and Environment found on Thursday. Under laboratory tests, they were assumed to be 75% less polluting.
It depends entirely on who bought the car and who uses it.
I met someone who was told to use the company car (a plug-in hybrid) for all trips. Nothing was explained to them, they were just given a company fuel card.
They had not charged the car in the 6 months they had been using it, and didn’t even know that it could be charged. They assumed it was just a more efficient petrol car.
Another person I know bought a plug-in hybrid for around town trips with occasional long distance trips. They charge it every day, sometimes more than once a day.
The first case would use more fuel than a mild hybrid due to the extra heavy battery, and would have no benefit over a mild hybrid.
They second case would be almost as good as an EV, with a flight penalty for carrying the weight of the engine.
Unfortunately, I suspect the first case is by far the most common for plug-in hybrids.