Suspicion of manipulation in THG quotas: ADAC demands consequences

Following reports of manipulation in the greenhouse gas (GHG) quota system, the automobile club ADAC has called for consequences. According to media investigations, a significant number of greenhouse gas quotas introduced in recent years are suspected to have been unjustly traded and counted towards GHG quota fulfillment due to manipulations in certification and registration. The GHG quota is intended to increase the proportion of renewable energies in traffic.

“Only through decisive action can we ensure that the certification of alternative fuels does not suffer permanent damage and that emission reductions actually become effective,” says ADAC Transport President Gerhard Hillebrand. “We appeal to the responsible authorities to act quickly and to strengthen the role of renewable energies in the transport sector.”

The club takes these investigations very seriously as consumer advocates. Due to incorrectly declared fuels or incorrect accounting, reductions in greenhouse gases are effectively neglected, even though they are counted towards the fulfillment of the GHG quota. This undermines the environmental policy impact of the GHG quota, the association criticizes. In addition, falsely accounted reductions of GHG can be procured cheaper than legitimate GHG quotas, which negatively affects their market price. As a result, electric vehicle owners achieve lower returns on the GHG bonus, and the funding instrument for electromobility is weakened.