Overview
- An analysis led by Fraunhofer ISI of roughly one million PHEVs from model years 2021–2023 finds average on-road consumption of about 5.8–6.1 l/100 km versus WLTP values near 1.4–1.6 l/100 km.
- The study relies on anonymized OBFCM data transmitted to the European Environment Agency, providing large-scale evidence from everyday driving rather than lab tests.
- Even in the predominantly electric discharge mode, vehicles averaged roughly 3 l/100 km, while the real electric driving share was only about 25–31 percent.
- Results vary widely by manufacturer, with Porsche models showing a median electric share of 0 percent, while brands such as Kia, Toyota, Ford and Renault recorded much lower fuel use in discharge mode.
- Researchers and environmental groups urge EU rule changes using real-world data and updated utility factors, the EU Commission has not commented, and the auto industry defends WLTP as a standardized method with implications for fleet CO2 targets and incentives now under scrutiny.