Find answers to common questions about Smart EV Rewards and the different ways you can connect your vehicle.

FAQ

Connected GO Device

Connected Services

What is a Smart EV Rewards program?: Smart EV Rewards programs are powered by Generac Grid Services technology and are operated in partnership with electric utility companies with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) charging. These programs allow utilities to gather valuable data insights from EVs to improve the electric grid and prepare for a future with increased EV adoption.

What is the purpose of a Smart EV Rewards program?: Smart EV Rewards programs collect charging information from electric vehicles (EVs) in an electric utility company service territory. This information is used to understand how EV charging affects the electric grid and provides insight into how they can better support their EV customers.

Why should I participate in a Smart EV Rewards program?: By joining a Smart EV Rewards program, you will receive advanced data about your EV, such as driving efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and your vehicle’s overall battery health. Depending on the program in your area, you may be eligible to earn additional rewards and incentives too.

How do I participate in a Smart EV Rewards program?

If you own or lease a plug-in electric vehicle, either a plug-in hybrid or a battery electric vehicle, you can register for a Smart EV Rewards program. Registration can be done in 3 easy steps:

See which Smart EV Rewards programs are available in your area.
Complete the application form and check your eligibility.
Connect your vehicle and start earning rewards.

How do I connect my vehicle?

There are two ways to connect your vehicle:

GO Device: The Go Device by Geotab is a connected car device. It is installed into your electric vehicle’s onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) port, reads data from the vehicle’s CANbus, and reports this to the Smart EV Rewards data centre.
Connected Services: A connected services account lets you remotely connect your car to Smart EV Rewards using your manufacturer’s mobile app. Each car manufacturer has a different process for setting up your connected services account. For some car brands, you receive your account credentials right when purchasing your vehicle. For other brands, setting up your connected services account might take up to 15 minutes and involve getting inside your car to press a button or using your car’s infotainment screen.

What information is collected and why?

Smart EV Rewards collects information about:

Charging session duration, energy consumption and location.
GPS charging location coordinates will be used to determine how much charging is occurring within the utility service territory. We only collect GPS information when you are charging, not when you are driving.
Trip duration, energy consumption and distance traveled.
Personal information such as name, email, vehicle type and home address.

How is my data protected?

Information that can identify you personally will not be made public or given to organizations outside of Smart EV Rewards and your utility company. For more details on the handling of your personal information, please refer to your Smart EV Rewards program’s Terms and Conditions, found at the bottom of your program Sign in page.

Smart EV Rewards follows the highest standards for cybersecurity and complies with ISO 27001:2013 security standards.

Can I register more than one EV with the program?: Yes. Simply indicate the number of vehicles you wish to register for the program in your application.

What is the difference between a hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?: A conventional hybrid operates only on gasoline. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle can be connected to an external electric source to charge its battery. If your vehicle can be plugged in, you may be eligible to join your utility’s program.

I am already using an OBD device in my car. Can I still participate?: No problem! Send us an email at support@smartevrewards.com and we can send you a free y-cable so that you can have both devices connected.

Can I remove the device?: The device should remain plugged in for the duration of the study. However, it is fine if your auto shop temporarily removes the device for diagnostic testing. Just be sure it is plugged back in afterward.

What if I want to opt-out of the program?: If you move out of state, sell your EV or simply wish to no longer participate in the program, please notify Smart EV Rewards support by email support@smartevrewards.com to end your participation in the program and for instructions on how to return your connected car device if you have not yet activated it.

What happens to my data when I stop participation?: Once you email us, we will unsubscribe your vehicle. At that point, our system will no longer collect data from your vehicle. The system also anonymizes all past data and removes all personally identifiable user and vehicle information.

How can I schedule my charging to off-peak times?: Each electric vehicle has different features, but it is common for many models to have the ability to schedule charging to start or finish at specified times. You can usually find this information in your vehicle owner’s manual. Some home charging stations can also be programmed to start charging at a specified time.