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Plug-in hybrids use three times more fuel than manufacturers claim, analysis finds (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 days ago by Powderhorn@beehaw.org to c/environment@beehaw.org

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Plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) use much more fuel on the road than officially stated by their manufacturers, a large-scale analysis of about a million vehicles of this type has shown.

The Fraunhofer Institute carried out what is thought to be the most comprehensive study of its kind to date, using the data transmitted wirelessly by PHEVs from a variety of manufacturers while they were on the road.

The cars involved were all produced between 2021 and 2023. The data transmitted enabled analysts to determine their precise and real-world fuel consumption, as opposed to that stated in the vehicles’ official EU approved certification.

PHEVs, cars which combine a petrol or diesel engine with a battery-powered electric motor that is charged from an external energy point, give drivers the flexibility to be able to switch between the ecologically safer power source, and the more conventional, but environmentally more damaging one, as and when conditions allow. Manufacturers typically market the vehicles as energy efficient. On paper at least, the vehicles are said to use much less fuel, between one and two litres per 100km, than conventional cars. However environmental groups have long since voiced scepticism over the claims.

According to the study, the vehicles require on average six litres per 100km, or about 300%, more fuel to run than previously cited.

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[–] Tinidril@midwest.social 1 points 1 day ago

My experience is only with the Chevy Volt which was sadly discontinued. The Volt's engine will occasionally come on if I'm accelerating from speed, like in a short merge to a fast expressway, but that doesn't last long. Aside from that and burning old gas, the engine never comes on while the battery has charge. I have no idea how other plugins function.