Plug-in Hybrids Not as Climate-Friendly as They Seem, Researchers Say

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (aka PHEVs) are a popular choice among those who want to reduce their carbon footprint but are not yet ready to make the full commitment to all-electric vehicles.

But a previous assumption by regulators like the European Union that PHEVs emit 75% less carbon than gasoline and diesel-dependent cars is actually false, according to researchers from Brussels-based non-profit Transport & Environment who studied hundreds of thousands of cars registered in Europe…