Tips to monetize emission credits (EREs) from EV-charging
Tips for monetizing charging credits (EREs) from 1 January 2026
From January 2026, the way emission reductions in mobility are registered, verified, and valued in the Netherlands will change fundamentally. With the introduction of Emission Reduction Units (EREs), the focus shifts to actual CO₂ savings.
Electric charging is one of the most efficient forms of transport. Each charged kilowatt-hour delivers a relatively high level of emission reduction and therefore represents direct financial value in the form of EREs. In this article, we share four practical tips to help you make optimal use of charging credits from 2026 onwards.
What are emission credits (EREs)?
An ERE is a unit defined by the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) that represents the actual CO₂ reduction achieved compared to fossil fuels. EREs emission credits function as emission rights, allowing realized emissions reductions to be registered, allocated, and traded within a regulated framework.
For years, renewable energy for transport was incentivized through renewable energy units (HBEs) based on energy volume. With the introduction of the Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), this system has been replaced by a framework based on actual CO₂ savings compared to fossil alternatives. With EREs emission credits, the focus shifts from volume to climate impact, making emission reductions more accurate and transparent.
Think of the transition from HBE to ERE emission credits like changing the way a fruit grower could be rewarded: previously, payment was based on the total weight of fruit delivered (volume). Under the new system, the grower is rewarded based on the vitamin content of that fruit, the real contribution to health, comparable to actual CO₂ savings.
Curious about the potential earnings from charging emission credits for your company? Use our calculation tool to get an estimate.
Four tips to monetize charging emission credits from 1 January 2026
With these four practical tips, you can capture the maximum value of charging credits under the ERE system.
Ensure certified meters and reliable data
Metering and data requirements remain strict and are being tightened in certain areas.
Our tip: make sure chargepoints are equipped with MID-certified meters. These are essential to demonstrate how much electricity is actually delivered to vehicles.
Action: use a reliable back-office system that records charging transactions accurately and with sufficient granularity, preferably on an hourly basis. A complete and consistent administration is required for annual verification to prevent rejection or loss of EREs.
Leverage on-site generation and storage for higher returns
The origin of your electricity largely determines the value of your Emission Reduction Units. Battery storage can also play a role, provided that origin and measurement are documented and verifiable.
Our tip: maximise charging with self-generated renewable electricity, such as solar or wind. Grid electricity only counts for the national average renewable share, estimated at around 50 percent in 2026. Self-generated electricity from solar or wind counts as 100 percent renewable and therefore results in roughly double the number of EREs per kWh.
Action: seek tailored advice for your specific situation. From 2026 onwards, it is not permitted to claim EREs for electricity that already receives subsidies under schemes such as SDE(+)(+). In some cases, it may be financially attractive to forgo these subsidies and instead claim 100 percent EREs, but this requires careful assessment.
Check whether you can or want to claim yourself or need an emission credit service provider
Starting in 2026, a threshold applies for independent electricity registrants. Companies with charging infrastructure that want to register less than 2 million kWh of electricity per year for transport purposes are required to use an emission credit service provider.
Our tip: check your grid connection and annual charging volume. Claiming is only permitted if the grid connection, identified by the EAN code, is registered in the name of the claiming party, or in the name of a party that has authorised a service provider. Verify that this CAR registration is correct or make clear agreements with the registered owner.
Action: if you remain below the 2 million kWh threshold, engage an emission credit service provider. Voltico can book on behalf of small businesses and private individuals and can also be authorised by commercial property owners.
Explore new opportunities, the business case is stronger than before
The new framework creates opportunities that were previously unavailable.
Our tip: do you operate mobile machinery and construction equipment? Starting in 2026, the electricity supplied to these machines can be registered for EREs under certain conditions.
Action: contact an emission credit service provider and have the business case assessed.
The added value of emission credit service providers
As an emission credit service provider, we take care of the entire and complex ERE process, from metering and administration to verification, booking, and trading of EREs. This ensures that sustainable choices translate directly into financial returns. We do this using smart software that records every transaction and makes it fully traceable in line with legal requirements. Combined with our market knowledge and access to the ERE market, this enables partners and clients to benefit from this incentive scheme in a controlled and scalable way.
Read more about our approach here.
