Germany has launched a campaign to preserve plug-in hybrid vehicles, a type of car that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, as they continue to attract buyers across Europe. Although these cars can operate emissions-free over short distances, most owners rarely charge their batteries and instead rely heavily on gasoline or diesel.
A study by the environmental group Transport & Environment, which analyzed 127,000 plug-in hybrids, found that their CO₂ emissions are nearly five times higher than what manufacturers report under the WLTP testing cycle.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has proposed requiring plug-in hybrid owners to charge their vehicles on a regular basis. Under the planned system, drivers would need to recharge after a certain mileage threshold; otherwise, onboard electronics would automatically restrict engine power.
According to the Mobilityenergy portal, the initiative aims to keep plug-in hybrids viable as tightening European environmental standards threaten their future.
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