German Environmental Aid criticizes the discrepancy between manufacturer specifications and real-world fuel consumption in cars

The data from the real-world operation of passenger cars show, according to DHU, in part dramatically higher consumption for petrol and diesel vehicles than those indicated by the manufacturer. The investigations of DUH also confirm this image. The DUH demands an end to the tax privileges of plug-in hybrids in company car regulation and better market monitoring with high fines.

European Environment Agency presents new figures

According to new figures from the European Environment Agency (EEA) on the excess consumption of vehicles, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) calls for stricter market monitoring in Germany and an end to the company car privilege, especially for plug-in hybrids. The data shows a double-digit percentage increase in consumption for petrol and diesel vehicles, with excess consumption for plug-in hybrids depending on the manufacturer even exceeding 400 percent. Despite this, only 0.5 percent of the gross list price must still be estimated as a monetary advantage for plug-in hybrids as company cars, while for pure combustion engine cars it is one percent. In 2019, car manufacturers achieved with massive lobbying that the existing privileges for plug-in hybrids were extended until 2030.

“The same car manufacturers who have to pay high fines in the USA if they exceed the specified fuel consumption can merrily deceive consumers here without having to fear serious consequences – with the backing of the Federal Ministry of Transport,” explains Jürgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of the DUH.

Clean only on paper

For years, CO₂ emissions have been above the stated figures. This is not only a significant obstacle for climate protection, but also a burden for drivers who have trusted the misleading manufacturers' claims, especially given the rising CO₂ price.

“The vehicles are only climate-friendly on paper and in reality serve the manufacturers to lower their average fleet emissions and thus avoid penalty payments according to the CO₂ regulation,” Resch continues. “It is urgently necessary to introduce independent market monitoring like in the USA. The tax privileges for the gas-guzzling vehicles must be ended immediately. It is unacceptable that these climate-damaging gas-guzzlers are also subsidized with taxpayers’ money.”

Investigations by DUH in 2020

As early as September 2020, DUH had shown dramatic exceedances of the official values in tests conducted by its own Emissions Control Institute (EKI) on four plug-in hybrid cars (Mercedes A250 e, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, Volvo XC40 T5, Volvo XC90 T8) – in the peak by more than 600 percent. For example, the supposedly environmentally friendly, tax-subsidized giant SUV Porsche Cayenne Plug-In Hybrid emits 500 g CO₂/km in Sport Plus driving mode, more than five times the mandatory EU fleet limit since 2020. The International Council on Clean Transportation had also pointed out the disastrous performance of plug-in hybrids, especially when they are used as company cars.