Glossary

Plain-language definitions for terms used across program pages.

Carbon credit

A tradable certificate representing a verified reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. EV charging companies generate these under the Clean Fuel Regulations by reporting home-charging activity, then sell the credits to fuel suppliers — the revenue is what lets them pay EV owners per kWh charged.

Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR)

A federal regulation requiring gasoline and diesel suppliers to gradually lower the carbon intensity of the fuel they sell. Suppliers who can't hit their targets buy carbon credits from others who reduce emissions — including companies that pay EV owners for home charging — which is what funds most of the reward programs in this directory.

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)

An open communication standard that lets a charger report charging data to a network or app regardless of the charger's brand. A program that requires an "OCPP-compatible" charger works with any charger supporting the standard, not just one manufacturer's hardware.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) charger sharing

A model where a homeowner lists their personal EV charger for other drivers to book and pay to use, similar to a short-term rental marketplace — distinct from carbon-credit reward programs, since earnings depend on your own pricing and local demand rather than a fixed per-kWh rate.

Per-kWh reward

A payment structure where you earn a set amount — often a few cents — for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity used to charge your EV. Some programs pay a flat rate; others pay a rate that rises the more you charge (tiered) or convert kWh into redeemable points instead of direct cash.