ERE for home chargers: NEa reconsiders its net grid import rule
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Last updated: 4 November 2026
The Dutch Emissions Authority (NEa) caused a stir in the ERE market in recent days. Guidance on its website suggested that for home charging, only the net electricity taken from the grid could be registered for ERE certificates. After strong reactions from the market, the NEa has now said it is revising that information. Here is what happened, why it matters for every home charger owner with solar panels, and what we are doing about it.
What are ERE certificates, and why do they matter for home charging?
ERE stands for Emissie Reductie Eenheden (emission reduction units). EREs are issued under the Dutch Hernieuwbare Energie voor Vervoer (Renewable Energy for Transport) scheme, which implements the European RED III framework. The scheme obliges suppliers of fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel to bring a growing share of renewable energy into road transport.
Electric drivers can help them do that. When you charge at home through a compliant, MID-certified home charger, the renewable electricity delivered to your car can be registered for EREs through a registration service provider. Those EREs can then be traded, and the proceeds are paid out to you. Depending on your charging volume and the market price, this can add up to a meaningful annual amount for private drivers.
What did the NEa say, and why did the market react?
In a Q&A on its website, the NEa stated that only the net amount of electricity drawn from the grid can be registered for ERE purposes, using the grid average. For households with solar panels, the practical reading was that the electricity you export would be deducted from the volume eligible for ERE certificates. In other words, charging your car with your own solar power would, in many cases, earn little or nothing.
The market found this hard to follow, for good reasons:
- It runs against the purpose of RED III. The aim is to stimulate renewable energy in transport. Self-generated solar power is among the cleanest electricity there is, with no emissions and a direct route from your roof to your battery.
- It hits a very large group. According to the Nationaal Laadonderzoek, roughly nine in ten home chargers have solar panels at home.
- It came late. The ERE scheme for private individuals has been running since January. Many households have since invested in a new MID-compliant home charger, and service providers have built their businesses around the scheme.
Estimates in the media suggest the impact could be substantial. For a household charging 3,000 kWh a year at home, the potential loss in ERE revenue could reach several hundred euros per year. Registration service providers also warned of millions of euros in lost income across their customer bases.
The NEa is now reconsidering
On 4 November 2026, the NEa responded to the signals it received. It confirmed that it had received many reactions about the information on its website regarding the registration of electricity for home charging, and that the main concern is that the information deviates from what the market expected.
The NEa has announced that it:
- takes these signals seriously;
- is working on adjusting the information on its website, with care and the applicable laws and regulations as its starting point;
- expects the revised information to be available later this week.
It is important to note what has not happened yet. The NEa has not yet published its revised position, so there is no final clarity. Until it does, the exact treatment of self-generated solar electricity in ERE registration remains uncertain.
What does this mean for you as a home charger owner?
For now, our advice is simple:
- Stay calm. Nothing has been finalised, and the NEa has signalled that it is reviewing its own guidance.
- Don’t make hasty decisions. If you are considering buying a new MID-certified home charger purely for ERE revenue, it is wise to wait for the NEa’s revised information.
- Keep your charging data. Make sure your home charger keeps reporting accurately, so your registrations remain complete whichever way the final interpretation goes.
- Expect differences between households. The financial impact will vary with your solar setup, your grid consumption (for example with a heat pump) and your charging behaviour.
What BlueBird Power is doing
We are following this matter closely. We are in contact with the relevant parties in the market and keeping a close eye on the NEa’s announcements. As soon as the revised guidance is published, we will assess what it means for our customers and take action wherever needed. We will update this article and inform our customers directly as soon as there is clarity.
Frequently asked questions about ERE and home charging
What is an ERE?
An ERE (Emissie Reductie Eenheid, or emission reduction unit) is a tradable unit that represents renewable energy supplied to road transport. In the Netherlands, EREs are part of the Hernieuwbare Energie voor Vervoer scheme, which implements the European RED III framework.
What is the ERE meaning in simple terms?
ERE is the Dutch abbreviation for Emissie Reductie Eenheden. Fossil fuel suppliers need EREs to meet their obligation to bring renewable energy into transport, and electric drivers who charge renewably can earn them.
Can I still earn EREs with my home charger?
Yes, the ERE scheme for home charging remains in place. What is under discussion is how electricity from your own solar panels is treated. The NEa is currently revising its guidance on this.
Did the NEa withdraw its rule?
Not formally, at the time of writing. The NEa has announced that it is adjusting the information on its website and expects to publish it later this week. We will update this article when it does.
Do I need a special home charger for ERE registration?
Yes. To register for EREs you need a home charger with a MID-certified meter that accurately measures the electricity delivered to your car.
Should I buy a new home charger now?
We recommend waiting for the NEa’s revised guidance if your main motivation is ERE revenue.
Stay informed
We will keep you updated as the situation develops. Questions about your home charger or your ERE registration? Contact the Bluebird Power team.
Sources: Nederlandse Emissieautoriteit (NEa), “Reactie NEa op signalen over ERE’s voor thuisladen”, 4 November 2026; de Volkskrant, 2 November 2026.
