The green turning point, it should come. E-mobility and e-cars in particular are a significant part of the attempt to avert climate change after all. Obviously, electric cars save one thing: greenhouse emissions. And now private individuals who drive electric cars should also benefit from it. In addition to the recently extended e-car bonus and the promotion of private wall boxes, this brings the next financial advantage for e-car drivers, because: You can sell the emissions you have saved. The guide explains how this works.
Selling emissions: what’s behind the GHG quota?
So if you drive an e-car, you can turn your saved energy costs and emissions into money. This is made possible by the so-called GHG quota, behind which the monster word “greenhouse gas reduction quota” is. It is in turn part of the “Law on the further development of the greenhouse gas reduction quota“, Which was passed by the Federal Council in May 2021. As the word suggests, the ultimate aim of the quota is to reduce emissions and thus to be able to achieve the climate targets.
So far, so well known. However, the GHG quota and trading your saved emissions go hand in hand with mineral oil companies. By law, these are only allowed to release a certain amount of greenhouse gases. If they exceed this value, there will be a fine. But there is a way out: the companies concerned can, so to speak, buy their way out by buying the pollution rights from third parties.
Who is emissions trading aimed at?
Up until now it was only possible for companies to sell their GHG quotas to mineral oil companies and the like. But from next year something will change. With the turn of the year 2021/2022, private individuals – i.e. you as an e-car driver – can sell their emissions. Charging station operators will also benefit from the new regulation from January 1, 2022. This is primarily financially worthwhile for all “sellers”.
Incidentally, only e-cars are currently benefiting from retailers. Hybrid models and plug-in cars are excluded from the GHG quota. It doesn’t matter whether you bought or leased your car. The main thing is that you are registered as the owner in the vehicle registration document.
Earning money with the e-car: private or brokerage?
If you want to get money out of your e-car, there are two options for you with GHG quota trading. You could go on a search on your own and negotiate privately with oil companies such as Shell, Aral and Co. about the sale. However, this is probably going to be quite time-consuming and difficult. Why? If millions of individuals bring their concerns to mineral oil companies, the effort involved in buying them is much more time-consuming for them. The premium would also be significantly lower.
It looks different when the offers are bundled and brought to the company – just like mediation platforms do. There are now some offers on the Internet where you can sell your emissions. The brokers then in turn sell the emissions from private individuals as a bundle to mineral oil companies. Platforms such as Smartificate, Fairnergy or eQuota.
You need these documents for the sale
In order to get involved in GHG quota trading and to get the premium, you need some documents. You have to register with the Federal Environment Agency – but before you start running to do this registration, be sure: the placement company will usually do this for you. As an e-car owner, you only need your contact details and your vehicle registration document. In addition to the contact details, operators of charging stations also need the value of the converted kilowatt hours.
Then you go back to the Federal Environment Agency, because there the brokers have your electricity volumes and the resulting CO₂ savings officially certified. In a further step, quota trading with official trade contracts goes through the main customs office. If that is done, you will ultimately receive your bonus, the so-called quota proceeds.
That’s how high the premium is
There is no general answer to the question of how high the premium for your saved emissions will be. Because that depends on a few components – such as the electricity used, the electric car, the market price or the business model of the agency. The companies usually charge a so-called “process fee”, which can be easily translated as an agency fee. This means that 100 percent of the proceeds will not go to you. As a guide: Smartificate, for example, states that 75 percent of the proceeds go to you as a private person. Here you should take a closer look at the agent of your choice and compare the fees.
On average, however, you can earn between 250 and 350 euros per e-car with the bonus. The profit and its settlement take place at the beginning of the year, the money will then be paid out to you in the course of the first quarter. Most providers expect an administrative effort of two months, i.e. you will receive the premium around March.
The bonus can also be applied for anew every year. The annual flat rates are then adjusted again and again.
Tax and GHG quota bonus
When it comes to taxes, you should look carefully. Because: premiums fall under “Income from other services”. They are therefore tax-free, but only up to the current exemption limit of 255 euros. If you get paid more than this exemption, you will probably have to pay tax on the GHG quota premium. If in doubt, you should consult a tax advisor.
