Extension of the greenhouse gas reduction quota to electromobility
Owners of battery electric vehicles and operators of charging stations will receive an additional bonus for their saved greenhouse gas emissions from 2022. Additional annual income of between 75 and 200 euros can be generated per electric car. The background to this is the law passed in May 2021 to further develop the greenhouse gas reduction quota.
GHG quota trading to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector
The greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG quota) was created from the biofuel quota in 2015. It is intended to promote the switch to climate-friendly drive systems by making conventional fuels increasingly expensive to market and environmentally friendly alternatives more attractive by comparison. In this way, the CO2-emissions in the transport sector and promote the climate goals of the German government.
The GHG quota specifies the annual permissible greenhouse gas emissions and related reduction targets for fossil fuel distributors in Germany. Insofar as the mineral oil companies and energy traders do not comply with these requirements, penalties will be incurred. These burdens can be avoided by having the affected companies purchase additional pollution rights from third parties through GHG quota trading.
Inclusion of electromobility from 2022
From 2022, for the first time, private and commercial e-car owners will be able to reduce their CO2-savings certify and resell to companies subject to quotas. Only fully electric cars (BEVs) are eligible. Hybrid, Plug-in-Hybrids, hydrogen and natural gas cars do not receive funding through the GHG quota. On the other hand, it is irrelevant whether the vehicles to be benefited are purchased or leased. Private and commercial operators of charging points will also be able to sell their avoided GHG emissions as GHG quotas from 2022.
Settlement via intermediaries
The certification of GHG quotas at the Federal Environment Agency and the sale of pollution rights to the petroleum companies are generally not carried out directly by the E-car owners, but through intermediaries. These service providers bundle their customers’ GHG quotas via online platforms and then sell them to fossil fuel distributors. To do so, e-car owners simply need to register on a platform and upload a copy of their vehicle registration document.
Uncertain price development on the THQ quota market
Future payout amounts will depend on supply and demand for GHG quotas. The oil industry is already unable to meet its quota targets on its own, and the corresponding requirements are becoming stricter every year. Increased demand for pollution allowances may lead to an increase in prices in the GHG quota market and thus to higher allowances for owners of battery electric vehicles and operators of charging stations.
Bertil Kapff
Supervisory Board ENERGIeTECH