Plug-in hybrids set for rapid rise but trouble looms

Plug-in hybrid sales in Europe soared by 145 percent in the first seven months as generous incentives and the threat of emissions fines for automakers helped them to buck the sharply downward trend of the overall market because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The growth, however, is highly dependent on incentives continuing, which isn't guaranteed as plug-in hybrids come under fire from green groups that dispute their fuel economy figures.