Car makers and their suppliers have defended plug-in hybrid expertise after knowledge extracted from vehicles on the street by the European authorities confirmed that fashions on common have been emitting greater than 3 times the carbon dioxide proven in official checks.

Sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) grew 34% within the first three months within the UK to 42,492 as extra firm automotive drivers took benefit of their tax-friendliness. That in flip helps automotive makers to drive down their common CO2 emissions to fulfill laws and softens their 22% electrical automotive goal this 12 months.