EU Is Not Planning a 15-Litre Fuel Tank Cap for Hybrids – It Is an Environmental Group's Proposal
Reports that the EU intends to cap plug-in hybrid fuel tanks at 15 litres are a misunderstanding. The idea comes from the environmental organisation Transport & Environment, and the European Commission is not pursuing such a rule.
In recent days, social media and some outlets have spread claims that the European Union (EU) wants to sharply reduce the fuel tank size of plug-in hybrid cars (PHEVs) and set a 15-litre limit. In fact, no such law or official European Commission plan is being advanced, so car owners have no real grounds for concern.
Where the confusion came from
The idea originates in the latest report by Transport & Environment (T&E), an environmental and sustainable transport organisation. It proposes stricter conditions for a car to qualify for "green vehicle" status or tax relief:
- a fuel tank of no more than 15 litres, so that a hybrid cannot be used like a conventional combustion-engine car;
- an electric range of at least 200 km in real-world driving;
- DC fast charging at more than 100 kW.
Why the proposal appeared
Studies indicate that in real life plug-in hybrids emit considerably more CO₂ than manufacturers' official WLTP test results suggest. Because of incentive schemes and tax breaks, many companies choose PHEVs as company cars, yet users often do not charge them regularly and drive on petrol or diesel alone. As a result, heavy batteries are carried around needlessly, raising fuel consumption and emissions.
What is actually changing
The only real changes at EU level concern the emissions calculation formulas, known as the Utility Factor. They are becoming more realistic and push manufacturers to increase battery capacity. There is no legislation aimed at artificially shrinking fuel tanks, and none is expected in the foreseeable future – it remains only the vision of a non-governmental organisation.
