Real-world energy consumption and emissions of plug-in hybrid vehicles - Analysis of three vehicles under different conditions

Abstract

Knowledge on real-world energy consumption and tail-pipe emissions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) under different driving conditions still has to be improved. In this study, we present results of on-road emission measurements with a portable emission measurement device of three PHEVs. The tests show that the carbon dioxide emissions directly correlate with driving mode and battery state-of-charge of the PHEVs, but there is no such correlation in case of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particle emissions. The electric energy consumption per electric driven kilometer is in a similar range for all three PHEV. Nevertheless, further technical measures are needed to gain the full potential of emission reduction of PHEVs.