Plug-in hybrid cars are meant to have a much reduced level of carbon dioxide emissions compared to petrol or diesel cars. It is said they that produce about one third less CO2. They also produce less nitrous oxide and particulates (very small soot particles). Their sales are on an upward path because people are more concerned about the environment nowadays. However, a study published today claims that drivers are being “duped” and that the true, real-world, level of emissions from plug-in hybrid cars is 2.5 times higher than stated. The research was carried out by Greenpeace together with a campaign group called Transport & Environment.
They argue that plug-in hybrids emit an average of 117 g of carbon dioxide per kilometre in real-world conditions compared with 44 g in tests. They say that it makes them quite close to the carbon emissions of petrol and diesel cars. Petrol cars produce an average of 164 g and diesels emit about 167 g of carbon dioxide per kilometre.
Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that the research was flawed. It was based on outdated figures. The government is pushing ahead with plans to accelerate the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. They want it to happen by 2030.
Of course, that does not mean that the UK will be free of petrol and diesel cars at 2030. There will be many petrol and diesel cars in good condition, some of them brand-new, which will be on the roads for 20 years after 2030.
I myself have a plug-in hybrid. It is a Prius business edition. I believe in it. The Toyota Prius plug-in business edition plus which is the car that I have has a carbon dioxide emission of 29 g and a NOX of 0 mg per kilometre. PM10 are at zero milligrams per kilometre and NGC=30. I believe that everybody has to do their bit to try and clean up the environment in the interests of human and animal health. And of course to reduce the impact of global warming which I think it is fair to say is now accepted to be genuine. Although it may in part be because by the world’s natural fluctuations in temperature. Global warming has a devastating impact on the wild species in very many ways. One of which is that the oceans are warmed up and marine wildlife which has evolved to live in a certain part of the oceans has to move to cooler parts to survive. Coral reefs are being destroyed indirectly by global warming. There are thousands of other examples including the devastating forest fires one example of which occurred in Australia recently.
