FAQ

Volkswagen Naturstrom

Product information

Where does Volkswagen Naturstrom originate from?

Volkswagen Naturstrom is generated from eco-power plants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

How do I know I am receiving sustainable energy?

TÜV Nord annually checks the origin of Volkswagen Naturstrom, and thus ensures that our electricity does not come from unclean sources such as nuclear or coal-fired power plants. The CO2 neutrality and purchase of electricity from green power plants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are certified. 100% of Volkswagen Naturstrom comes from renewable energies.

What is a price guarantee?

For the product Volkswagen Naturstrom Blue we grant you a limited price guarantee for a period of 12 months and for the Volkswagen Naturstrom Classic product for a period of 24 months from the start of supply. For this period, we guarantee not to adjust prices due to changes in grid usage fees, billing, procurement, distribution and other administrative costs. In all other respects, the right to adjust prices in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Volkswagen Naturstrom Special Customer Contract (end consumer) ("AGB") in the version relevant to the supply relationship and incorporated herein shall remain unaffected. You will of course be informed by us in good time of any price adjustments. We will do everything we can to keep prices stable for you.

How do I know I am receiving sustainable energy?

TÜV Nord annually checks the origin of Volkswagen Naturstrom, and thus ensures that our electricity does not come from unclean sources such as nuclear or coal-fired power plants. The CO2 neutrality and purchase of electricity from green power plants in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are certified. 100% of Volkswagen Naturstrom comes from renewable energies.

Is the carbon footprint of an e-vehicle better than a car with a diesel or petrol engine?

It depends on the electricity mix – this has a major impact on the carbon footprint of an e-car. If you want to be sure, you should charge your e-car with green electricity. That's why we offer a green electricity contract with Volkswagen Naturstrom, giving you the confidence that your e-car will be climate-friendly.
Why charge with eco electricity?
To compare different vehicle types, we need to consider carbon emissions in three phases:

  • During the production of the vehicle
  • During production of the fuel, e.g. electricity, petrol or diesel
  • And during use, i.e. using the car to get from A to B.
    The manufacture of an e-car causes 58 grams CO₂ equivalent per km, more than double the emissions of diesel vehicle manufacture (27 CO₂ equivalent per km).
    CO₂ emissions vary depending on the source of the electricity. If it is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, CO₂ emissions are near zero. However, with the typical grid mix in Germany, emissions are 85 grams CO₂ equivalent per km. By way of contrast, extraction and production of diesel generates just 11 grams CO₂ equivalent per km.
    The major advantage of e-cars is that there are no CO₂ emissions at all during the vehicle’s operational life. With a diesel vehicle, however, this is the phase with the highest CO₂ emissions (100 grams CO₂ equivalent per km).
    In conclusion, an e-car’s carbon footprint depends heavily on the electricity mix. To ensure truly climate-friendly mobility, take up our Volkswagen Naturstrom contract, and get green electricity for your car and home.
  • All values are based on an e-Golf 7 production and use (200,000 km) in EU

What is Volkswagen Naturstrom?

Volkswagen Naturstrom is the sustainable and 100% renewable electricity rate of Elli, a brand of the Volkswagen Group.

What is my contract period?

The minimum contract term of your Volkswagen Naturstrom Blue is 12 months and that of your Volkswagen Naturstrom Classic is 24 months. The contract term is extended indefinitely after expiry of the minimum contract term if the contract is not terminated in due time and form. After expiry of the minimum contract term, you can terminate the contract with one month's notice.

Why should I choose Volkswagen Naturstrom? What advantages does Elli's sustainable electricity rate offer me?

With Volkswagen Naturstrom, you are opting for a green-electricity tariff that guarantees transparent prices and a simple switching process – without hidden costs. There are also four good reasons to become a Volkswagen Naturstrom customer:

  • 100% green energy: You receive 100% renewable electricity for your home and electric vehicle – simple, affordable and sustainable.
  • Expansion of renewable energies: We promote the expansion of renewable energies and sustainable power generation plants – we contribute to the Energiewende.
  • Safety & reliability: We guarantee the usual reliability from day one – reliable provider switch and continuous power supply.
  • Fully compatible & future-proof: Volkswagen Naturstrom and other Elli products and services are compatible with all Volkswagen Group products – today as well as in the future.

Charging Tariffs

Voucher Codes

Are charging credits only valid when charging at a specific charging station?

No, charging credits can be used to pay for charging sessions at any of the charging stations in Elli's network. If the voucher is a special voucher that offers charging credits for a specific CPO network, those credits can only be used to pay for charging sessions at that CPO's network via the Elli Charging app.

Are charging credits valid only for specific tariff subscriptions?

Vouchers can be used in combination with all tariffs and remain valid even if the account is switched to another tariff.

Can I get the remaining charging credit refunded to my bank account after I end my subscription?

Remaining charging credits cannot be paid out.

Can I redeem more than one voucher in my account?

Multiple vouchers can be redeemed in an account in a charging app.

Can I still choose to pay for charging sessions using the payment method associated with my account (credit card or PayPal) even when there is charging credit available?

If charging credit is available in the account, it will automatically be used to pay for the cost of a charging session and cannot be deferred. Once the charging credit is fully used or is insufficient to cover the total cost of a charging session, the stored payment method in the account will be used to pay for the remaining amount.

Can I use a voucher to pay for charging sessions that took place earlier that month, before I received the voucher and added it to my account?

The voucher code must be redeemed in the app before a charging session starts for the voucher credit to be used for that session. A voucher can only be used to pay for charging sessions that take place after the voucher is redeemed on the app.

Can I use voucher credit to pay for monthly subscription fees?

Vouchers can not be redemmed for monthly subscription fees. The voucher amount will be added to an account and used to pay for each charging session until the credit is used up.

Can I use voucher credits to pay for charging sessions outside my registered country/home country when im travelling?

Voucher credits are valid for any charging session within our European charging network. If the charging session occurs in a different currency, then the amount will be converted into the account's currency and deducted accordingly from the credit.

Do I have to be located in Germany to use a voucher?

Redeeming vouchers is possible for customers from countries where Elli sells vouchers.

Do I lose my remaining charging credits if I don’t have any active tariff subscription?

Credits are still accounted in our system even if there isn't an active subscription running. These credits can be reactivated after signing up for a tariff with the same email address.

Do I need to subscribe to a tariff to redeem a voucher?

Vouchers can be redeemed in the charging app even if there isn't an active tariff. However an active tariff subscription is required to use charging credits to pay for charging sessions.

Does the voucher or charging credit expire?

A voucher is generally valid for 4 years plus the running year of its creation. The code must be redeemed and the charging credit used before this expiry date. If you have remaining charging credits in your account on the expiry date of the voucher, these credits will also expire or be lost once the expiry date is passed.

Is the voucher code tied to a customer account?

Voucher codes are tied to a customer account only after the code is redeemed in the app. After this, the credits can not be transferred to any other account or to another app.

Where can I use the MSP voucher?

Vouchers can only be redeemed in the Elli Charging app (Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH) or with Elli’s partner apps (Volkswagen, Audi charge, MySkoda, My Cupra) and not at any other Volkswagen Group entity or 3rd parties.

Which RFID charging card should I use so that my charging credits are used to pay for my charging sessions?

Use the charging card paired with the app which has the redeemed voucher and corresponding charging credits (in case you are using multiple apps and have multiple RFID charging cards).