Q1

What Q1 does

Q1 Energie AG is a privately held, family-owned German energy and mobility company headquartered in Osnabrück and founded in 1898. It operates an integrated platform spanning traditional and sustainable fuels, electric vehicle charging, fleet management, and convenience retail. The core product set includes quality gasoline and diesel, sustainable diesel (HVO100, claimed up to 90% CO2 reduction), 100% climate-neutral Bio-LNG for heavy goods vehicles across seven dedicated 24/7 Express stations, and the Q1 Card fleet management system (free of charge) accepted at more than 700 fueling stations and 20,000 EV charging points. The e-mobility layer comprises Q1 Autostrom charging stations ranging from 22 kW AC to 300 kW DC, the Autostrom plus GmbH joint venture deploying fast-charging parks along German autobahns under the Deutschlandnetz II program, and managed charging installations at third-party properties such as hotels, sports clubs, and municipal utilities. Convenience retail formats include Oase Shop & Bistro, pier eins, and the unmanned 24/7 Q1 Shop & Go smart store, supported by self-checkout (Campo Typy) and digital receipts (anybill).

The business model is predominantly transaction-based: Q1 earns fuel retail margins at owned stations, transaction fees on Q1 Card purchases across fuels, charging, lubricants, and washing, per-kWh revenue on Autostrom (44.0 cents/kWh AC and 53.9 cents/kWh DC gross at Q1's own stations), wholesale fuel distribution via ÖTAG tank storage facilities in Bremen, Duisburg, Kassel, and Osnabrück, and managed-services revenue from third-party EV charging installations. Customer segments are bifurcated into private customers served via station-locator and self-service channels and business/fleet customers (logistics, waste management, hospitality, sports, security, municipal utilities, and retail) served through direct sales, account managers, and digital tools (Mein Q1 portal, Q1 App with at-pump digital payment, Cariqa-integrated EV charging billing). Distribution combines 230+ owned stations, a 700+ station card acceptance network, 20,000+ accessible charging points, direct enterprise sales, wholesale, and e-commerce (Q1 Gutschein).

The company positions itself as a konzernunabhängiges (conglomerate-independent) Mittelstand operator differentiating on customer service quality ("Qualität zuerst"), validated by seven consecutive #1 DtGV Deutscher Kunden-Award rankings and five consecutive kununu Top Company employer recognitions. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Q1

Legal name

Q1 Energie AG

Website

https://www.q1.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Q1 Energie AG is a family-owned German energy and mobility company operating 230+ fueling stations, 200+ EV charging points, and a 700+ station fleet card acceptance network, serving private drivers and commercial fleet customers with conventional and sustainable fuels (HVO100, Bio-LNG), e-mobility, and convenience retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel Retail and Mobility Services

NAICS

Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers (457), Gasoline Stations with Convenience Stores (457110), Fuel Dealers (45721)

SIC

Retail-Auto Dealers & Gasoline Stations (5500), Electric & Other Services Combined (4931)

akta.pro primary industry

EV Fleet Management & Charging Solutions (THADAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fleet Fuel, Toll & Expense Management Programs (TLABAHAL), Managed EV Charging Software (Residential, Fleet, Workplace) (EUAFAMAA), Fleet Smart Charging & Depot Energy Management (Bus/Truck/Delivery) (EUAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Fuel retail network
• EV charging infrastructure
• Sustainable fuels
• Fleet management cards
• Lubricants distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Osnabrück

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Fuel Sales: Sale of automotive fuels including gasoline (Super, Super Plus, Super E10), diesel, premium diesel, HVO100 (sustainable diesel), and AdBlue at company-owned and partner stations across Germany. Core revenue stream with physical product delivery at the pump.
2. E-Mobility / EV Charging: Sale of electric vehicle charging services (Autostrom) at company-owned charging stations and via partner networks. Revenue generated per kWh consumed. Includes public fast-charging stations (50-300 kW) and standard AC charging (22 kW). Autostrom pricing at 44.0 Cent/kWh AC and 53.9 Cent/kWh DC (gross) at Q1 stations.
3. Fleet Card Services (Q1 Card): Revenue from Q1 Card fleet management services for business customers. While the card itself is free, revenue is generated through transaction fees on fuel, charging, lubricants, and washing services purchased via the card. Monthly invoice billing with detailed transaction statements. Includes CO2 reduction certificates for Bio-LNG customers.
4. Lubricants and Specialty Products: Sale of a broad range of lubricants (engine oils) for passenger cars, trucks, and industrial applications. Complete lubricant product range supporting the fuel station offering.
5. Shop and Bistro Sales: Revenue from convenience retail and food service operations at Q1 stations. Includes Oase Shop & Bistro format with fresh sandwiches, wraps, sushi, coffee, and daily rotating lunch meals. Also includes Q1 Shop & Go 24/7 unmanned smart store. Revenue from snack, beverage, and convenience product sales.
6. Bio-LNG for Heavy Goods Transport: Sale of 100% Bio-LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) for heavy goods vehicles at 7 dedicated 24/7 Express stations. Revenue from LNG fuel sales with CO2 reduction certificates. Supports fleet operators seeking sustainable logistics solutions.
7. Fleet Management and Consulting Services: Advisory services for fleet operators including technology selection, CO2 certification, and hydrogen infrastructure planning. Revenue from service relationships with commercial fleet customers.
8. E-Mobility Infrastructure Installation and Operation: Q1 installs, operates, and maintains EV charging stations on behalf of third-party property owners. Generates revenue through charging sales and commission per kWh. Includes public charging stations and employer/institution charging solutions for hotels and sports clubs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Q1 Energie AG operates a network of more than 230 fuel stations across Germany under the Q1 brand, selling conventional and sustainable fuels (HVO100 diesel, Bio-LNG, petrol, diesel), lubricants, EV charging (Q1 Autostrom at 22-300 kW), convenience retail (Oase, pier eins, Q1 Shop & Go), and the Q1 Card fleet management solution accepted at more than 700 stations and 20,000+ charging points. The company is an independent German Mittelstand provider of a combined 3-in-1 mobility platform covering fueling, electric mobility, and fleet payment.

Product overview

Q1 Energie AG is a German independent energy company operating a network of over 230 fuel stations and more than 200 charging points across Germany under the 'Qualität zuerst' (Quality First) brand promise. Its product portfolio spans three core pillars: (1) traditional fuel products — Diesel, HVO100, Bio-LNG, lubricants, and AdBlue — sold at branded stations; (2) e-mobility solutions through the Q1 Autostrom network of AC and DC charging stations (22 kW to 300 kW), operated under both Q1's own brand and the Autostrom plus joint venture (Deutschlandnetz programme), with charging stations installed at partner hotels and commercial sites; and (3) convenience retail including Oase Shop & Bistro, pier eins, the unmanned Q1 Shop & Go Smartstore, and car wash facilities. Fleet and business customers are served via the Q1 Card (a free fleet management card accepted at 700+ stations and 20,000+ charging points) and the associated Mein Q1 customer portal, while the Q1 App enables digital card management and direct pump payment. The Q1 Gutschein (gift voucher) and hydrogen solutions round out the offering, with hydrogen still in an exploratory/planning phase. Q1 is expanding its sustainable energy portfolio through photovoltaic installations at stations, Bio-LNG, and HVO100 — all supported by digital tools including Cariqa's payment platform for EV charging and Campo's Self-Checkout technology at selected locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Q1 Card: Fleet management card for fueling and charging at over 700 stations and 20,000 charging points across Germany
• Q1 Gutschein
• Q1 Autostrom
• Q1 Bio-LNG
• Q1 HVO100
• Oase Shop & Bistro
• pier eins
• Q1 Shop & Go
• zahlz

Products and services

• Q1 Card
• HVO100 Sustainable Diesel
• Bio-LNG (Bio-Liquefied Natural Gas)
• Q1 Conventional Fuels (Petrol and Diesel)
• Q1 Autostrom EV Charging
• Q1 Lubricants
• Q1 Gutschein (Gift Voucher)
• Q1 Shop & Go (Smartstore / AI-based Unmanned Store)
• Oase Shop & Bistro / pier eins
• Q1 Car Wash (Autowäsche)

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 90% CO2 reduction when using HVO100 compared to fossil diesel
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Westfalen-GruppemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 September 2025Mutual card acceptance partnership with the Westfalen-Gruppe covering Bio-LNG stations. Q1 Card is now accepted at four Westfalen-Gruppe Bio-LNG locations, and Westfalen Service Card holders can use their cards at all seven Q1 Bio-LNG stations. This significantly expands coverage for heavy goods vehicle operators in long-distance and cross-regional transport.
• CariqacoreTechnology or Integration · 28 May 2025Cariqa is Europe's first independent payment platform for the e-mobility market, connecting Charge Point Operators (CPOs) directly with end customers without surcharges on energy prices. Q1 uses Cariqa's platform to enable direct customer billing for EV charging, implement dynamic/AI-based pricing, eliminate intermediary surcharges, and gain greater control over pricing and customer communication. The partnership enables faster response to customer feedback and market changes.
• Stadtwerke HaldenslebenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 February 2025Q1 took over 32 EV charging points from Stadtwerke Haldensleben at the start of 2025. The agreement secures long-term charging infrastructure for the region and maintains E-Mobilists' access to a high-capacity charging network in the Haldensleben area. Aligned with EU guidelines for charging infrastructure continuity.
• team energie GmbH & Co. KGmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 December 2024Cross-acceptance partnership enabling Q1 Card customers to use their cards at approximately 100 team energie stations for fuels and vehicle-related products such as car washes and lubricants. This partnership significantly expands the Q1 Card acceptance network, providing added value to fleet customers requiring broader geographic coverage.
• Paneuropa Transport GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2024Since October 2024, Paneuropa Transport GmbH supplies the Q1 Bio-LNG station network with Bio-LNG. The partnership covers all 7 Q1 Bio-LNG stations and substantially contributes to reducing emissions in heavy goods transport. Paneuropa serves as both a customer and supplier, creating a closed-loop sustainable fuel supply chain.
• Hotel Weitblick BielefeldminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 July 2024Q1 installed EV charging infrastructure at Hotel Weitblick Bielefeld, providing hotel guests with green Autostrom. Q1 manages installation, maintenance, and operation while the hotel benefits from enhanced guest services without operational burden. Demonstrates Q1's hotel charging solution model.
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 May 2024Q1 and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Germany partner to operate a climate-neutral truck fleet on German roads using Bio-LNG supplied by Q1. This partnership addresses growing demand from logistics companies for sustainable transport solutions and demonstrates Bio-LNG viability for real-world commercial fleet operations.
• Autostrom plus GmbH (joint venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2024Autostrom plus GmbH is a joint venture co-founded by Q1 Energie AG alongside Drees & Sommer, enercity, POHL-Gruppe, and SWN Stadtwerke Neumünster. The company successfully bid for 3 of 6 autobahn fast-charging lots in the Deutschlandnetz II program managed by Autobahn GmbH des Bundes. With 50 locations already operational, the joint venture is deploying 99 fast-charging parks along German highways, representing a major strategic expansion of Q1's e-mobility footprint and positioning in Germany's public EV charging infrastructure.
• Osnabrücker Sportclub e.V. (OSC)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQ1 installed and operates 8 EV charging points (2 Wallbox 22 kW AC + 2 Hypercharger 50 kW DC) at the OSC sports club in Osnabrück, accessible to over 6,000 members and guests. Q1 manages the entire infrastructure while the club offers enhanced sustainability services.
• WSO Sicherheitsdienst GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQ1 operates a 150 kW Hypercharger with 2 charging points at WSO Security Service's premises near Autobahn A30 in Osnabrück. The location serves WSO's own fleet, employees, and the public. Q1 provides turnkey charging infrastructure as part of its commercial property charging solutions.
• AWIGO Abfallwirtschaft Landkreis Osnabrück GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAWIGO operates an approximately 80-truck fleet and piloted Q1's HVO100 fuel starting March 2024. Following successful testing with no increased fuel consumption or performance loss, AWIGO transitioned to permanent HVO100 use for all vehicles at Georgsmarienhütte, including garbage trucks, excavators, and company cars.
• Fleet Card Network Partners (UTA, DKV, Hoyer, Eurowag, E100, and others)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQ1 accepts over 30 different fleet and payment cards at its stations including UTA, DKV, Hoyer, Eurowag, E100, Logpay, IQ Card, Tankpool24, BayWa, Raiffeisen, and many more. This broad acceptance ensures Q1 stations serve as universal fueling points for fleet operators across Germany.
• EWE Go, SachsenEnergie, Westfalen Weser Netz (EV Charging Networks)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQ1 Card is accepted at charging points from EWE Go, SachsenEnergie, and Westfalen Weser Netz, contributing to the network of 20,000+ EV charging points accessible with the Q1 Card. These partnerships extend Q1's e-mobility reach beyond its own charging infrastructure.
• forecourttechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQ1 and forecourttech co-sponsor the New Technology Disruptors Award, which supports startups in the fuel and convenience industry that drive innovation and technology. The award program identifies and promotes disruptive technologies shaping the future of the sector.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• team energie GmbH & Co. KG: German independent fuel station operator running a comparable network of independent-branded stations. team energie is already a Q1 cross-acceptance partner (~100 stations), reflecting nearly identical positioning as mid-size German fuel retailers serving both private and fleet customers.
• Westfalen AG / Westfalen-Gruppe: German regional energy and fuel station operator with Bio-LNG, gas, and conventional fuel stations. Westfalen is also a Q1 cross-acceptance partner for Bio-LNG, making it a directly comparable peer in fleet-relevant alternative fuels and regional fuel retail.
• HEM Tankstellen (Deutsche Tamoil): Independent German fuel station network operating a comparable branded forecourt footprint across Germany. HEM is a direct peer to Q1 as a non-oil-major independent fuel retailer competing for fleet card acceptance and private customers.
• AVIA Deutschland: German arm of the AVIA international independent fuel retail network. AVIA operates a similar branded-station model serving fleet and private customers in Germany, with comparable fuel and convenience offerings to Q1.

Broad incumbents

• Aral AG (BP): Germany's largest fuel retailer and a BP subsidiary. Aral is the broad incumbent against which Q1 competes on station network, EV charging rollout, and convenience retail, with substantially larger resources and brand reach.
• Shell Deutschland: Major oil-major operating a large German fuel and convenience network with significant EV charging investments. Shell is a broad incumbent that competes with Q1 on the same German forecourt customers while offering broader mobility and energy services.
• TotalEnergies Marketing Deutschland: German arm of TotalEnergies with a national fuel station network and growing EV fast-charging presence. As a broad incumbent oil major, it competes with Q1 across fuels, EV charging, and fleet services.

Emerging players

• EnBW mobility+ (EnBW AG): German utility-backed EV charging network rapidly scaling highway and urban fast charging in Germany. EnBW mobility+ is comparable to Q1's Autostrom plus JV as an emerging player focused specifically on EV charging infrastructure rather than traditional fuel retail.
• IONITY GmbH: European high-power EV charging network backed by major OEMs (BMW, Mercedes, Ford, VW, Hyundai). IONITY competes with Q1's Autostrom plus on highway-corridor fast-charging sites targeted at long-distance EV travel.

Others

• GP Joule Connect: German e-mobility infrastructure provider already working with Q1 on ad-hoc payment at charging stations. GP Joule Connect is an adjacent enabling/technology partner comparable in EV charging software and grid integration rather than direct station ownership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@q1energieag
• Facebookfacebook.com/Q1EnergieAG
• Instagraminstagram.com/q1.eu
• Xx.com/Q1Energie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/q1-energie-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Q1