If you have an electric car, you can sell the greenhouse gas emissions saved by the vehicle and earn several hundred euros. What do you need for this? Just an internet connection and a cell phone camera - and a suitable intermediary.
Electric car drivers can apply for a GHG premium again this year. But compared to 2022, it will probably be somewhat lower. If you compare the different payment models of the intermediaries, you will still find an individually good offer.
The greenhouse gas reduction quota - GHG quota for short - is intended to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector and thus help to achieve climate goals. The legislator prescribes how many tons of greenhouse gases they are allowed to emit. If you exceed this value, a penalty will be charged. Unless the company in question buys pollution rights from third parties.
For the sake of simplicity, this trade is handled by special intermediaries who buy certificates from e-car owners and offer them in bundles. These providers include automobile clubs such as ADAC, energy suppliers and e-mobility service providers such as EnBW, Maingau Energy or Stromfahrer.sh, insurance companies such as HUK and many specialized companies such as CO2 Auto, Energy Market Solutions, Emobia, 2OCean.de, klima-quote. de, Wirkaufendeinzertifikat.de and Quotando.
The exact amount of the payout is still uncertain. However, it is considered likely that the possible revenues for e-car owners will decrease. Among other things, because the electricity mix in Germany was “dirtier” last year than it was in 2021, which reduces the environmental advantage of electric vehicles compared to combustion engines. At the same time, the average annual mileage of an electric car was downgraded. The bottom line is that an e-vehicle saves less greenhouse gas on this new calculation basis than under the 2022 model. In addition, the petroleum industry will be granted higher pollution rights for the current year, so there is less pressure to buy GHG certificates.
It is not to be expected that the proceeds from the sale of GHG certificates in the current year will be higher than expected, but it cannot be ruled out. In addition to general economic developments, the negotiating skills of the brokers who sell the pollution rights to industry also play a role.
The premium providers react to the uncertainties in pricing with a special offer structure. Risk-averse vehicle owners should appeal to a guarantee premium. This is calculated conservatively and is therefore comparatively low. In return, however, it will be paid out in any case, even if the price actually achieved should be lower. Most providers have such a model in their range, the guaranteed or fixed amounts are currently around 300 euros. Anyone who speculates on more money chooses an offer with the maximum premium and in return waives the guaranteed sum. That can be a good deal and flush an extra two to three-digit amount into the till. Or cause a loss of a similar amount. So the Flex model is more for risk-takers.
As a third model, some providers offer an immediate payment. Instead of waiting several months for the bonus, the vehicle owner receives it within a few days. As a rule, the providers give waiting times of 24 to 72 hours. However, there is the least money in this variant, the premium is significantly lower than with fixed or flexible offers.
A few GHG service providers offer instant payouts. Typically, the process from submission to payout takes several months. That's too long for many. If you cannot or do not want to wait that long, you can opt for the quick payout. Depending on the provider, the amount will be transferred within 24 hours or 1 to 3 days. The advantage: the risk is low and the amount is quickly in your account. The disadvantage: the amount paid out is usually significantly lower than with the "flex" (maximum possible amount) or "fix" (guaranteed minimum amount) options.
Anyone who has decided on one of the models and one of the numerous platforms must register there. In addition to name, address and bank details, a photo or a scan of the vehicle registration document is required. The platform operator takes care of everything else, such as the confirmation of the GHG quota by the Federal Environment Agency and the sale to a mineral oil company. The money usually ends up in the account automatically after about a month, sometimes much later.
