(Paris) Sales of hybrid cars have carved out a significant market share, but these vehicles remain highly criticized for their CO emissions2.
These models are equipped with a petrol engine (or diesel, in Europe) and a small electric motor to drive a few kilometers without emissions. Hybrids could soon overtake gasoline cars in European sales.
PHOTO LEFTERIS KARAGIANNOPOULOS, REUTERS ARCHIVES
A Polestar 1 hybrid.
In the third quarter, 20.7% of new hybrid cars were sold in the European Union (non-rechargeable, which notably reuse braking energy) and 9.1% of rechargeable hybrids (which are plugged in on a terminal), against 39.5% gasoline, 17.6% diesel and 9.8% 100% electric.
Less expensive than all electric
They are cheaper to buy than 100% electric ones. While the charging stations are still in short supply, they avoid the fear of breakdown.
Large groups such as Toyota, Stellantis (Peugeot-Fiat), Renault or Hyundai-Kia are betting heavily on these engines, which also allow them to meet CO emissions standards at a lower cost.2.
However, do they really pollute less, or are they a solution for the transition to an all-electric world?
The question is political: While many countries, including Canada, plan to ban sales of gasoline and diesel engines from 2035, part of the auto industry wants to protect hybrids.
“We think the hybrid will stay,” Jim Crosbie, president of Toyota France, told AFP. Non-rechargeable hybrids now represent 70% of the Japanese brand’s sales in Western Europe.
If we talk about the life cycle of a model – 7, 8 or 9 years – it will remain an important asset for us in the years to come. Of course, depending on the regulations, we will be ready to meet the new standards.
Jim Crosbie, President of Toyota France
For environmental NGOs like Greenpeace or Transport & Environment, hybrids slow the transition. On the contrary, these NGOs want to speed up the switch to electric and other modes of transport than the automobile. Especially since the gains put forward by the manufacturers are generally lower than those observed in real conditions.
Versatile technology
“Today, hybrids maintain high emission levels. Above all, they are very often used in thermal mode, and little in electric mode, ”emphasizes Marie Chéron of the Nicolas Hulot Foundation.
“Part of the hybrids, for example, were bought for fleets, they do not have a charging system, people do not charge them, and therefore do not run electric,” explains Marie Chéron.
“We must make a distinction between the potential of technology, which is rather versatile, and its use”, analyzes Philippe Degeilh, engineer at the French Institute of Petroleum and New Energies (IFPEN). “The hybrid can be a link in the decarbonisation of transport, but it takes a lot of education”.
According to an IFPEN study published at the end of 2020, hybrid vehicles (non-plug-in) emit on average 12% less CO2 than a similar gasoline vehicle. This gain amounts to 33% in the city, while it is almost zero on motorway sections.
A plug-in hybrid, driven smoothly and systematically recharged, is “also capable of approaching zero emissions”, by driving electric most of the time, analyzes IFPEN.
A household that has only one car may have a better environmental record with a hybrid rather than an electric with a large battery. It’s designed to do 50 kilometers a day and sometimes go on vacation.
Philippe Degeilh, engineer at the French Institute of Petroleum and New Energies
As for 100% electric vehicles, the production of their increasingly large battery is very energy intensive. The origin of their electricity is also essential to determine their environmental cost.