Green tariffs are electricity supply tariffs marketed as “green” because the supplier matches the customer’s consumption with renewable electricity attributes, most commonly through green energy certificates such as Guarantees of Origin (GOs) in Europe. For EV charging operators and site owners, green tariffs are a procurement method to support market-based renewable electricity claims and renewable-backed charging positioning, depending on the chosen reporting methodology.
What Are Green Tariffs?
Green tariffs are retail electricity contracts that include a mechanism for renewable sourcing.
– The physical electricity delivered is still part of the mixed grid
– The “green” attribute typically comes from certificate matching and cancellation
– Tariffs may be offered to households, businesses, or multi-site charging operators
– Some green tariffs are standard “100% renewable” offers, while others include tighter matching rules or specific generation sourcing
Why Green Tariffs Matter for EV Charging
Green tariffs are commonly used when on-site renewables are limited or not feasible.
– Supports renewable-backed electricity claims for depot charging and destination charging
– Improves tender competitiveness where renewable electricity procurement is required
– Aligns charging operations with corporate ESG targets and market-based emissions reporting
– Provides a simple, fast implementation route compared to building PPAs or on-site generation
How Green Tariffs Work
A typical green tariff uses certificate-backed accounting.
– The supplier procures renewable attributes (often GOs) for an equivalent volume of electricity consumed
– Certificates are cancelled/redeemed so they cannot be claimed twice
– The customer receives documentation supporting renewable procurement for audits and ESG reporting
– The renewable match is often done annually, unless the tariff specifies tighter time or location matching
Types of Green Tariffs
Green tariffs vary by how strict the renewable matching is.
– Standard certificate-backed tariffs with annual matching
– Supplier portfolio tariffs tied to a defined renewable generation mix
– Time-matched tariffs where renewable attributes are matched more closely to consumption periods (market-dependent)
– Local renewable tariffs linked to specific regional generation where available
Green Tariffs vs Green Energy Certificates
Green tariffs typically include certificates, but they are not the same concept.
– Certificates are the underlying renewable attribute instruments
– A green tariff is the packaged retail product that includes certificate handling and billing
– Claim credibility depends on certificate type, cancellation, and transparency of the tariff structure
Key Considerations for Credible Claims
Not all “green tariffs” are equal, so defining the claim boundary matters.
– Certificate type and quality (GOs or equivalent) and proof of cancellation
– Matching approach: annual vs tighter time matching expectations
– Location matching: same country/region vs broader sourcing
– Reporting method: location-based vs market-based emissions
– Avoiding double claims when multiple procurement instruments are used across sites
Benefits
– Simple procurement method with low operational complexity
– Scalable across multi-site charging portfolios
– Supports market-based emissions reporting and ESG targets
– Often improves positioning in customer conversations and tenders
– Can be combined with on-site PV and BESS for improved self-consumption and peak control
Limitations to Consider
– Does not guarantee the charging site consumed renewable electricity in real time
– Claim quality depends on certificate choice, matching rules, and transparency
– May carry a price premium or contract constraints depending on market
– Requires clear methodology to avoid greenwashing risk in “100% renewable charging” claims
Related Glossary Terms
Green energy tariffs
Green energy certificates
Guarantees of Origin (GO)
Market-based emissions
Location-based emissions
Carbon intensity (gCO₂/kWh)
Green power purchase agreement (PPA)
Renewable integration