Germany's 2026 THG Bonus: Up to 380 EUR Back for Your Tesla
Five minutes of effort, one photo of your registration certificate, deadline October 31, 2026. Everything you need to know about the greenhouse gas reduction quota.
There aren't many things in the German bureaucratic jungle that are genuinely simple. The THG quota is one of them. You take a photo of your vehicle registration, upload it to a provider, and a few weeks later somewhere between 270 and 380 euros lands in your account. Tax-free, because your Tesla demonstrably saves CO2 that a fossil fuel company would otherwise have to compensate for.
The key date this year: Your application must be submitted by October 31, 2026, at the latest. Miss the deadline and you get nothing for 2026, the claim is gone entirely. So it's worth handling this now rather than putting it off.
What the THG quota actually is
The Treibhausgasminderungsquote, or THG quota for short, is a legal requirement for oil companies. Anyone selling petrol or diesel in Germany has to improve their CO2 balance year after year. If they can't manage that, they buy themselves out by purchasing certificates from other market participants who save CO2.
That's where you come in. Your Tesla runs on electricity and therefore saves a flat amount of CO2 per year, as set by the German Federal Environment Agency. This saved amount is recognized as a certificate. You can't sell directly to the oil companies, that would be too small-scale. Instead, service providers like ADAC, EnBW or Quotlix bundle the certificates of thousands of EV drivers and resell them. A share of the proceeds goes to you.
Important: the quota is only available for pure battery electric vehicles (BEV). Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are excluded, even though they can drive electrically. A Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X always qualifies.
How to apply in 5 minutes
Take a photo of your vehicle registration
You only need the Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, the standard vehicle registration certificate. A sharp phone photo is enough, both sides if it's folded. The Fahrzeugbrief (Part II) is not required.
Choose a provider
Compare fixed and variable tariffs (more on that below). Look at payout amount, payout speed and whether reviews look credible. ADAC, EnBW, Quotlix, Check24 and Geld für eAuto are established options.
Enter your data and upload the photo
On the provider's website you enter your name, address, IBAN and vehicle data and upload the photo. The whole process rarely takes longer than five minutes.
Wait for confirmation, collect the money
The provider submits your application to the Federal Environment Agency. After review and certificate sale, you receive the payout by bank transfer. Depending on provider and tariff, this can take a few weeks to several months.
Fixed or variable: which is better for you
Providers usually offer two models. Fixed bonus means: you receive a guaranteed amount, often around 270 euros, regardless of how the market price for CO2 certificates develops. The money arrives quickly, the risk sits with the provider.
Variable payout means: you receive a percentage share of the actual sale price of the certificate. In strong market phases, 380 to 400 euros are possible. In weak phases, the amount can fall below the fixed bonus. You usually wait longer for your money because the sale has to happen first.
Which works for whom? If you like certainty and a quick payout, take the fixed bonus. If you want to bet on a better price and have a few months of patience, variable is worth the gamble. There's no right or wrong, both are legitimate.
Provider overview
The provider landscape is large and changes every year. Here's a neutral overview of established platforms, without a clear winner. Higher amounts on variable tariffs don't automatically mean more money at the end of the year, they mean more potential.
| Provider | Model | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ADAC | Fixed bonus | Well-known brand, membership not required |
| EnBW | Fixed or variable | Choice depending on tariff, established utility |
| Quotlix | Variable with minimum payout | THG quota specialist only |
| Check24 | Comparison portal | Brokers different providers, one click |
| Geld für eAuto | Fixed or variable | Pure THG platform focused on fast payouts |
Always read the current terms before signing. Payout amounts can shift monthly.
Don't miss the October 31, 2026 deadline
Your application must reach the provider by October 31, 2026 at the latest. Miss the deadline and your claim for 2026 is gone entirely. There's no retroactive option either. Also, only one quota per holder and year is allowed, applying to multiple providers simultaneously will lead to rejection.
Common questions
Can I apply for the THG quota retroactively for earlier years?
What happens if I sell my Tesla during the year?
What about leasing or company cars?
Is the payout really tax-free?
Can I double up with two providers?
Bottom line
The THG quota is one of the few support programs that genuinely work without hassle. Five minutes of effort, a photo of your vehicle registration, and depending on market conditions, 270 to 380 euros land in your account. The only thing that matters is not missing the October 31, 2026 deadline and briefly deciding whether you prefer the safe fixed amount or the variable gamble.
If you have several Teslas in the family: each holder may apply once per year. If Car A and Car B are registered to different people, you get two payouts.
Sources: ADAC THG-Quote overview, Auto Bild THG comparison 2026, EnBW THG.
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