What is the GHG quota?

Why was the GHG quota introduced?

If Germany and the EU are to achieve their climate targets, emissions in the transport sector must fall significantly. While other sectors have made progress in recent years, CO₂ emissions in the transport sector have remained largely unchanged. The GHG quota is intended to change this – through three overarching approaches:

1. – Avoid traffic

2. – Shifting traffic to lower-emission modes of transport

3. – Promoting the switch to alternative, climate-friendly drives

Electromobility plays a decisive role here. It enables emission-free driving, especially if the electricity used comes from renewable sources. The GHG quota creates an additional financial incentive for this.

How does the GHG quota work in practice?

Put simply:

1. 1. mineral oil companies must reduce their CO₂ emissions.

2. 2. they can purchase additional emission volumes if they do not fulfill their quota.

3. 3. these emission volumes can be provided by electric vehicle owners and operators of public charging points.

4. 4 Emissions are monitored by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and then sold in bundles to companies subject to quotas.

The amount paid out depends on the market and can fluctuate annually. For this reason, no fixed premium amounts are stated here.

Important: If the quotas are not actively applied for and sold, the state can sell them to the oil industry itself. It is therefore worth using the quota via a service provider.

How do charging infrastructure operators benefit?

Since January 1, 2022, operators of publicly accessible charging points have been able to claim GHG quotas. As they provide emission-free energy through charging processes, they can claim credit for these CO₂ savings.

What does that mean in concrete terms?

• – Operators can generate additional ongoing income per kilowatt hour charged.

• – Trading usually takes place via certified quota traders or eMobility service providers such as reev.

• – This does not result in any additional administrative work for the operators.

While private owners of electric vehicles generally receive a flat-rate premium, the remuneration for charging infrastructure is based on the actual amount of energy charged and recorded in accordance with calibration law.

What do operators need to consider in order to be able to use GHG quotas?

The charging infrastructure must be in place for the amount of energy charged to be counted:

– be publicly accessible (at least ad hoc charging without registration)
– measure and bill in compliance with calibration law
– be registered with the Federal Network Agency
– be located in Germany

Tip: Check whether certain subsidy programs exclude the use of a public charging function. If you are unsure, the charging infrastructure should be evaluated together with the service provider.

Use GHG quota with reev

reev supports operators in using GHG quotas simply and automatically. The platform records charging processes in compliance with calibration law and transmits the data for GHG certification – without any additional effort for the operator.

Advantages:

• Automated data transmission for GHG offsetting

• Transparent charging consumption data in the reev Dashboard Compact or Pro

• Additional revenue to support the operation and expansion of the charging infrastructure

Conclusion

The GHG quota is an effective instrument for making electromobility more attractive and economical. It rewards emission-free charging financially – both for owners of electric vehicles and for operators of public charging points.

Used correctly, it helps to operate charging infrastructure profitably in the long term and actively drive forward the transport transition.