Starting in 2026, the Euro 6e-bis standard will come into effect across the European Union, completely transforming the established approach to certifying fuel consumption and emissions for cars with hybrid powertrains. The new requirements not only complicate life for manufacturers but also threaten the appeal of hybrids for buyers. Official figures will now be much closer to real-world results, which means many of the usual perks for PHEV owners may become a thing of the past.
Until now, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) easily passed certification, showing minimal fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This gave them access to tax breaks, environmental labels, and other benefits. However, Euro 6e-bis fundamentally changes the calculation: now, it’s not only laboratory conditions that count, but also real-life usage scenarios, where the gasoline engine is activated much more frequently.
What’s changed
Euro 6e-bis isn’t just another revision of previous standards. This new version widens the range of tests, adds extra parameters, and requires consideration of more real-world driving situations. The key innovation is the revision of the so-called ‘Utility Factor’—a coefficient that determines how much time a car operates in electric versus gasoline mode.
Previously, calculations were based on a distance of 800 kilometers, but now this figure has been increased to 2,200 kilometers. This means that in official fuel consumption and emissions figures, the share of work done by the gasoline engine becomes significantly higher. As a result, numbers that once appeared impressively low may now increase twofold, threefold, or even fourfold.
Manufacturers are now forced to revise their strategies. Many models were designed with the old methods in mind to qualify for incentive categories. Now, they either have to upgrade their technologies or accept the loss of competitive advantages.
Market impact
For buyers, these changes might come as an unpleasant surprise. New official data on consumption and emissions could cause hybrids to lose their usual tax and environmental benefits. This automatically makes them less attractive compared to fully electric vehicles, which remain unaffected by the new restrictions.
Some countries are already discussing changes to the system for awarding environmental labels and setting tax rates. Whereas hybrids used to easily qualify for ‘green’ tags, now they’ll have to compete on equal footing with gasoline and diesel models. For many car owners, this may be a reason to consider switching to fully electric vehicles.
However, the situation is not so clear-cut. Some manufacturers have already announced new generations of hybrids with extended electric range and more efficient recuperation systems. But whether they will be able to adapt quickly to the new reality remains a big question.
The Future of Standards
Euro 6e-bis is just the beginning. As early as 2027, the next version of the standard—Euro 6e-bis-FCM—will come into force, setting even stricter requirements. Now, a distance of 4,260 kilometers will be used to calculate the ‘Utility Factor’, and all new vehicles will be required to have on-board systems for real-time fuel consumption monitoring.
This will bring laboratory data as close as possible to real-world conditions. The gap between official and actual figures should practically disappear. For manufacturers, this means the need to implement new technologies and review their entire model lineup.
The transition period promises to be challenging. Experts are already predicting rising prices for hybrids, declining demand, and accelerated growth of the electric vehicle market. Those who manage to adapt quickly and offer truly efficient solutions to customers will come out ahead.
How WLTP Works
The new calculations are based on the WLTP protocol—the modern testing cycle that replaced the outdated NEDC. WLTP features more dynamic driving modes, a wider range of speeds, and simulates real road conditions. For plug-in hybrids, this protocol is supplemented with the calculation of the ‘Utility Factor,’ which now takes into account not only the operation of the electric motor but also the gasoline engine over long distances.
Previously, WLTP allowed hybrids to show minimal figures, as most of the test was conducted on electric power. Now, with the increased assessed distance, the share of gasoline mode rises, making the official results less attractive.
Buyers should study the new data carefully and not rely on outdated stereotypes. The market is changing rapidly, and what seemed beneficial yesterday may become a burden tomorrow.
RUSSPAIN reminds readers that the Euro 6e-bis standard was developed by the European Commission to enhance transparency and fairness in vehicle certification. Its goal is to reduce the gap between laboratory and real-world fuel consumption and emissions figures. In the coming years, the standard will be refined and tightened, which is already impacting the strategies of Europe’s largest car manufacturers.
