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Do you drive electric and charge at home or at work? Then, starting January 1, 2026, you can earn money for every kilowatt-hour you charge. The new ERE system rewards electric drivers for their contribution to cleaner air.

Oil companies are required to purchase ERE certificates for every liter of oil they place on the market. They buy these certificates to offset their emissions, thereby stimulating the greening of transport.

In this article, you will read exactly how it works, what to expect, and how to sign up.

What are ERE certificates (emission reduction units)?

ERE stands for Emission Reduction Unit. In concrete terms, this means: 1 ERE is equal to 1 kilogram of CO₂ equivalent saved compared to a fossil reference such as petrol or diesel. One ERE is therefore equal to a saving of 1 kilogram of CO₂ equivalent. By driving electric instead of using fossil fuels, you achieve demonstrable CO₂ reduction and generate emission reduction.

The Netherlands Emissions Authority (NEa) has introduced this system to replace the old HBE system. The old HBE scheme will be replaced by the ERE system as of January 1, 2026. From that date, the new system applies under the Fuel Transition Obligation (BTV). This means that oil companies and other fuel suppliers are required to blend sustainable fuels or purchase emission reduction units.

This is where it gets interesting for you as an EV driver: with every registered kWh you charge at home, you generate potential certificates. A practical example: suppose you charge your electric car at night with an average of 3 kWh. Over a whole year with 15.000 kilometers driven, this yields measurable EREs. These certificates have a market value because suppliers of polluting products are required to buy them.

The system is not a direct subsidy or cashback promotion. The revenue is generated through the market: supply and demand determine the price fuel suppliers pay for your avoided emissions.

How does the ERE system work in practice?

The process from charging to reimbursement follows fixed steps established by the NEa. First, a certified meter accurately measures the current flowing through the charging station is supplied during each charging session. Subsequently, the share of renewables in the generated electricity is determined—this is currently approximately 50-60% for the Dutch grid average.

The third step is the calculation of the avoided CO₂. The NEa formula works as follows: the number of kWh multiplied by the share of renewable energy, multiplied by 183 grams of CO₂ per MJ (the fossil reference intensity), multiplied by 3,6 MJ per kWh, divided by 1000. For 100% renewably generated electricity, this yields a maximum of 0,6588 ERE per charged kWh.

The registration of charging sessions takes place in the Energy for Transport Register (REV) of the NEa. The new energy certificates are registered in the Energy for Transport Register (REV). This register is linked to your specific electrical connection via the Central Connection Register (CAR) with your unique EAN code. The Central Connection Register determines who the legitimate recipient is.

As soon as the certificates are registered, they become tradable. A booking service provider collects and sells them quarterly to mandatory parties such as Shell or BP. The market price is determined through auctions or bilateral trade—not via fixed government prices.

Approximately how much can you earn in 2026?

The compensation depends on the market price per ERE certificate and the number of kWh you register annually. The payout therefore varies based on current market prices and your charging volume. Based on market expectations and experience with the previous HBE market, you can count on a compensation of approximately €0,10 per charged kWh in 2026.

• The compensation for ERE certificates is between €0,07 and €0,10 per kWh.
• The value of an ERE certificate will be around 10 cents per charged kWh in 2026.

Concrete calculation examples for private individuals:

• 2.000 kWh per year (average usage): approximately €200 gross
• 3.500 kWh per year (moderate family use): approximately €350 gross
• 5.000 kWh per year (frequent drivers): approximately €500 gross
• Charging 40 kWh per week at home: approximately €208 gross per year

In 2026, the total amount you receive from ERE certificates can vary from 200 to 500 euros per year, depending on your load volume.

Please note: the net return will be lower due to the costs of your chosen service provider. Expect 20-40% in fixed fees (€50-100 per year) plus commissions (10-20%). Realistically, €80-€250 net remains, depending on your deal.

The compensation goes to the contract holder of the electricity connection according to the Central Connections Register. This is usually the homeowner, not the tenant or lessee. Conflicts can arise in shared situations—clear agreements in advance are essential.

Which charging station do you need for ERE certificates?

Not every charging station is automatically suitable for VIA certificates. The measurement and registration must meet strict NEa requirements. The most important criterion: your charging point needs a MID-certified meter that accurately records the kWh consumed per charging session.

A separate kWh meter in your meter cupboard usually does not count. The measurement must be traceable to the charging station itself. This means that you need a certified MID meter in or directly at your own charging station.

Examples of suitable home charging stations:

• Zaptec Go 2: integrated MID meter, OCPP compliant
• Alfen Eve Single Smart: with optional MID module
• Wallbox Copper SB: certified variant available

These models cost €600-€1.200 installed. Having a mid-meter added to a charging station costs an extra €200-500 for older models.

Unsure if your charging station is suitable? Explicitly ask your supplier or installer for both “MID-certified” and “ERE-ready” labels. Charging points at homeowners' associations, businesses, and parking lots are also eligible, provided the measurement chain is complete.

Mid meter and ERE certificates

For electric drivers For those who want to get the most out of their charging station, a mid-certified meter is indispensable. This certified meter is the key to obtaining ERE certificates, as it accurately measures how much electricity is charged via the charging station itself. Only with such accurate recording can you claim emission reduction units (EREs) and benefit from the associated compensation.

The Netherlands Emissions Authority (NEa) sets strict requirements for the registration of charged kWhs. A MID-certified meter meets these requirements and guarantees that every charged kilowatt-hour is recorded correctly. This is essential, because only with reliable registration can you demonstrate the actual emission reduction you achieve and thus qualify for ERE certificates.

Please note that the mid-meter must be integrated into the charging station itself. A separate kWh meter in the meter cupboard does not meet the NEa requirements, because only a certified meter in the charging station can directly link charging sessions to your electric car. This prevents registration errors and ensures that every kWh charged counts towards your revenue.

The use of a mid-certified meter provides not only certainty but also a higher return. Because you can accurately demonstrate how much electricity you have charged, you receive the maximum yield from ERE certificates. This makes investing in a charging station With a certified meter, a smart choice for anyone who drives electric and wants to capitalize on their contribution to emission reduction.

In short: do you want to benefit from ERE certificates and receive the highest possible compensation for every kWh charged? Then always check whether your charging station has a MID-certified meter. This ensures correct registration, maximum revenue, and a direct contribution to a more sustainable Netherlands.

How do you apply for ERE registration?

Registration is already possible, even before all details have been finalized in the legislation. The Senate has approved the outlines, and you can prepare to benefit immediately starting in January 2026.

Here is how the registration works step by step:

1. Check if your charging station has a MID-certified meter and can digitally register charging sessions via OCPP 1.6+ or CSV export.
2. Determine who the contract holder is via your annual energy bill.
3. Look up your EAN number via your grid operator (Liander, Enexis, Stedin).
4. Choose a booking service provider and compare rates (e.g. 15% + €75/year). Owners of a smart, MID-certified charging station can have their charged kWhs booked by a booking service provider to earn money with their ERE certificates.
5. Submit your application before 1 May 2026 for retroactive effect from January 2026.
6. Please note that you must share an annual report of the number of kWhs charged at the charging station to be eligible for ERE certificates.

There is no maximum number of participants. However, early registrants often receive better terms. When registering, pay close attention to the contract duration (1, 3, or 5 years), cost structure, and payment frequency—some parties pay quarterly, others annually.

Role of booking service providers and contractual agreements

Most private individuals cannot register EREs themselves via the NEa register. You need a recognized partner for ERE registration. These booking service providers collect your charging data monthly, check for anomalies, register the certificates, and sell them to fuel suppliers.

What should you look out for in the contract?

Examples of parties offering this are Den Hartog Zero Emission and Mobilitics, with an effectively higher fee for larger volumes. Compare via platforms that show 12-25% costs and choose providers with dashboards where you can see how many kWh have been booked.

For a lease car at home, the rule is: negotiate a 50/50 split with your employer. For shared HOA charging stations, a kWh allocation key works via RFID badges.

Honorary certificates for employers, lease drivers, and Owners' Associations

It is not just private EV drivers who benefit. Employers, leasing companies, and homeowners' associations can also participate—each with their own points of attention.

For employers: Formally, the reimbursement goes to the energy contract holder. If your employee charges at home and you reimburse the electricity costs, the EREs still end up with the employee. This requires clear agreements. Consider ancillary agreements or a company-subsidized private meter.

For lease drivers: Those who charge at home are often the contract holders themselves. However, employers or leasing companies sometimes want to claim the ERE rights. Without explicit permission, the central connections register takes precedence. Record agreements in your lease contract.

For Owners' Associations and commercial parking facilities: Proportional allocation plays a role in the case of shared charging points. For example: a 1/10 share for one parking space in a garage with 10 charging points. Note the VAT implications on the revenue (21% deductible for companies) and arrange the administration via notarial deeds if necessary.

Tax and legal aspects—such as remuneration in kind—vary by situation. Professional advice is often recommended in 2026.

Frequently asked questions about ERE certificates

Last updated on 07-04-2026

Does my solar panel power count towards the total? By default, home charging is with solar panels calculated based on the average share of renewables in the grid (approximately 50-60%). Only with a strictly measured setup that isolates PV-to-EV flows can you claim 100%.

What if I switch energy suppliers? Update your EAN details with your booking service provider within 14 days to avoid gaps.

Can I combine EREs with other grants? EREs are compliance credits, not subsidies. Combining them with the scrapping scheme is not possible.

How much can you realistically earn? At 3.000 kWh per year and the highest yield in the market: €150-€200 net after costs.

Does smart charging work better for EREs? It does not matter when you charge for the ERE calculation. However, public charging may have different rates.

For the most recent technical details, consult the official NEa documentation.

Start step-by-step with EREs in 2026

Ready to get started? Follow this step-by-step plan:

1. Check your charging station: Does this have a MID meter? Can the charging point digitally record the necessary data? Check the manual or app.
2. Determine the contract holderCheck Mijn Netbeheer to see who is registered in the name of the connection. This determines who receives the payment.
3. Compare booking service providers: Use net return simulators to see who offers the best deal in terms of costs and market access.
4. Sign up before May 1, 2026: This is how you benefit retroactively from January 1, 2026.
5. Monitor your revenue: Check your reports every six months. In the event of a relocation: arrange for EAN transfer and contract adjustment in a timely manner.

Please note: the number of honorary certificates (number of honorary certificates) you receive depends on the amount of kWh charged, the renewable share of the electricity, and a calculation rule that quantifies the emission reduction. This way, you know exactly how many emission reduction units you can expect based on your charging behavior.

Electric driving now pays off financially too. With the right charging station, a good service provider, and timely registration via e-certificates, you get the most out of every kWh your car charges. Start preparing today—the May 2026 deadline is closer than you think.