The plug-in hybrids have been questioned in recent times. It is already clear that it is a bridge technology, the prelude to electric ones, so many question whether they benefit from the same advantages with the ZERO label. In addition, there have always been certain suspicions that pollute more than they declare in manufacturer approval tests. That same thing has just been proven in a study that has also asked to stop subsidizing your purchase with plans like Moves.
Transport & Environment (T&E) has been in charge of this study, for which it has needed the help of the Graz University of Technology. They took the plug-in hybrid variants of three recent models with good sales levels: the BMW 3 Series, the Peugeot 308 and the Renault Megane. They received a number of devices to detect your CO2 emissions and the result is that all obtained values above what was announced. Tests were carried out both in the city and outside of it.
Curiously, in circulation by city the worst results were obtained. In all three cars it looked like they emitted between five and seven times more CO2 than the approved. The 3 Series went from 36 to 204 g/km, the Peugeot 308 from 27 to 197 g/km and the Renault Megane from 30 to 138 g/km. And that the German had a technology that detects the low emission zones to work with electricity. In interurban circulation of 55 kilometers the results improved, but they continued to be between 20 and 70% above of what was declared.
Even starting with a full battery, plug-in hybrids didn’t deliver. Only the Renault achieved the affirmed electric autonomy, while the others fell far behind. Plug-in hybrids were postulated as a solution to reduce emissions, but the reality is that they don’t do it as much as it seems. Therefore, some decarbonization policies stop being so fair, see the DGT emissions labeling or purchase aid plans.
According to T&E, children should not be brought together in the same group. plug-in hybrids and electric after seeing the results. In addition, the vast majority of these cars are charged on a few occasions when they are used for business. It would be necessary to rethink this system and benefit the cleanest cars, although that measure is in the hands of others.
Source: T&E
