Plug-In Hybrid Drivers Face Fuel Cost Reality Check
Motorists driving the UK's most popular plug-in hybrid vehicles are likely spending almost twice as much on fuel than manufacturers' efficiency claims suggest, according to concerning new analysis. This revelation has prompted warnings about potential industry-wide issues reminiscent of past automotive scandals.
Substantial Discrepancy Between Claims and Reality
Based on official manufacturer specifications regarding fuel efficiency, Britain's best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) should theoretically cost approximately £530 annually for combined petrol and electricity consumption. However, comprehensive research conducted by Transport & Environment has uncovered a startling reality: these vehicles actually consume around 490% more fuel than their advertised figures indicate.
Colin Walker, Transport Analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, expressed serious concerns about these findings. "This increasingly looks like a scandal with echoes of 'dieselgate'," he stated. "The industry's successful lobbying of government will encourage the sale of hybrids and keep the nation's driving bills unnecessarily high."
Unexpected Emissions and Hidden Costs
Even when operated in electric-only mode, plug-in hybrids continue to emit approximately 68gCO₂ per kilometre. This occurs because their electric motors frequently lack sufficient power, requiring the combustion engine to activate regularly. The petrol engine actually supplies power for nearly one-third of the distance travelled during supposed electric-only operation.
This technical reality translates to significant unexpected costs for drivers. Motorists face approximately €250 in additional annual petrol expenses that they wouldn't anticipate when purchasing vehicles marketed as capable of pure electric driving. Many consumers reasonably expect minimal fuel costs when operating in electric mode, but the actual experience proves substantially different.
Long-Term Market Implications
Walker further highlighted concerning implications for the second-hand car market, where most British drivers purchase their vehicles. "Expanding the pool of hybrids on the road will leave the used car market awash with vehicles that are much more expensive to run and own than electric vehicles," he explained.
This situation creates significant barriers for families attempting to transition to more economical and environmentally friendly transportation options. "Some families will be left simply unable to make the switch to cheaper and cleaner electric driving," Walker added.
The True Cost Comparison
Drivers already face what Walker describes as a "petrol premium" – hundreds or even thousands of pounds annually – for operating petrol vehicles compared to electric alternatives. However, the research indicates that the additional cost of running a plug-in hybrid approaches similarly elevated levels.
"Even with the introduction of a 3p per mile tax on electric vehicles, they will remain cheaper to own and drive overall," Walker emphasised. "But with the prospect of more families and businesses paying more to drive hybrids than EVs, that represents a real knock to the nation's productivity. We're spending more to drive than necessary, leaving less available for other parts of the economy."
The findings raise important questions about manufacturer transparency, consumer protection, and the true environmental benefits of plug-in hybrid technology as Britain continues its transition toward cleaner transportation solutions.
