Due to lower than actual emissions, the European Union will revise the PHEV emissions test to be implemented in 2025

Recently, foreign media reported that the European Union plans to revise the emission test standards of the relevant PHEV (plug-in hybrid models) to make its standards for measuring carbon dioxide emissions more stringent. It is reported that this standard may be officially implemented in 2025.

PHEV models

The EU's decision to revise the relevant PHEV emission standards stems from criticism that the results of the current standard test could be four times lower than actual emissions and would not reduce emissions as claimed. The current tests are conducted under the Global Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which uses real-world data to better reflect emissions. Critics, however, find that in the case of PHEV, the test remains overly optimistic. A recent study released by the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT), an environmental think tank, showed that the WLTP test does not reflect how dependent PHEV is on engines. By analyzing emissions data from 100,000 PHEV from sources such as the company's automotive database and consumer fuel tracking website, ICCT found that PHEV charged less frequently and had shorter miles than WLTP's lab tests had shown.

The results show that not all electrifications are created equal, and regulators should not treat PHEV the same as electric vehicles when designing policies. The new test method may mean that automakers cannot rely on hybrid sales to meet emissions targets and avoid fines. An EU official told the media that the EU was discussing amendments to the Euro 6 regulations on pollutant emissions that modified the test method, but he did not disclose further details. The amendment will be discussed on February 9. A decision is expected to be made within this year.