About
Smartcar is the leading connected vehicle API platform, enabling developers and businesses to build powerful mobility applications by integrating with more than 40 automakers through a single, standardized API. Whether you need to track battery state, verify odometer readings, manage EV charging sessions, or send lock/unlock commands, Smartcar delivers OEM-grade data in a consistent format—no proprietary hardware required. The platform offers two core product surfaces: Signals for reading vehicle state (battery level, fuel, tire pressure, location, mileage, and more) and Commands for controlling vehicle state (locking doors, starting charging, adjusting charge limits). Data is delivered in real time via webhooks, eliminating the need for polling. Smartcar Connect provides a customer-facing OAuth2 consent flow so vehicle owners can authorize your application in minutes, maintaining full transparency and compliance. SDKs are available for popular languages, and comprehensive documentation makes onboarding straightforward. Use cases span energy management (DERMs, virtual power plants, EV charging networks), auto insurance (usage-based insurance, claims intelligence, verified mileage), auto services (maintenance reminders, roadside assistance, vehicle history), consumer mobility (car sharing, ride hailing, subscriptions), fleet management, and public-sector road usage charge programs. With global coverage across North America, Europe, and beyond, Smartcar is the infrastructure layer for the next generation of mobility products.
Key Features
- Universal Vehicle Signals: Read standardized data points—battery level, range, fuel, odometer, tire pressure, location, and more—from 40+ automakers through a single API endpoint.
- Vehicle Commands: Send control commands to vehicles such as locking/unlocking doors, starting or stopping charging, and adjusting charge limits, all via a simple REST API.
- Real-Time Webhooks: Receive vehicle data pushed directly to your system the moment it's available, with no polling required, ensuring your app always has the latest state.
- OAuth2-Based Smartcar Connect: A transparent, customer-first consent flow that lets vehicle owners securely authorize your application in minutes, maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Global Multi-Brand Coverage: Access vehicles across North America, Europe, and additional markets from a single integration, with compatibility spanning electric, hybrid, and gasoline vehicles.
Use Cases
- EV charging networks and energy retailers use Smartcar to monitor battery state and charge levels in real time, enabling smart charging schedules and demand-response programs.
- Auto insurance companies integrate Smartcar to access verified odometer data and driving behavior for usage-based insurance (UBI) products and accurate claims processing.
- Car sharing and ride-hailing platforms use Smartcar's vehicle commands to remotely lock/unlock cars and retrieve location data, streamlining fleet operations without proprietary hardware.
- Fleet managers use Smartcar to track vehicle health, mileage, and location across mixed-brand fleets from a single dashboard, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
- Public-sector agencies leverage Smartcar's verified mileage data to power road usage charge (RUC) programs as a fair alternative to fuel-tax-based road funding.
Pros
- Single Integration for 40+ Automakers: Eliminates the need to build and maintain separate integrations for each car brand, drastically reducing development time and complexity.
- Standardized OEM-Grade Data: Data is verified at the source and returned in a consistent schema, making it reliable and easy to build on regardless of the underlying vehicle brand.
- Developer-Friendly SDKs & Docs: Comprehensive documentation, an API reference, and SDKs for popular languages make it straightforward to integrate and scale quickly.
- Free Tier Available: Developers can sign up for free and start testing integrations without upfront cost, lowering the barrier to proof-of-concept builds.
Cons
- Vehicle Compatibility Gaps: Not every make, model, and year is supported; developers must check the compatibility matrix before committing to specific vehicle targets.
- Dependent on Automaker APIs: Data availability and reliability can be affected by upstream OEM API changes, outages, or deprecations outside Smartcar's control.
- Cost Scales with Usage: Pricing for production applications scales with the number of connected vehicles and API calls, which can become significant at large fleet sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car brands does Smartcar support?
Smartcar currently supports over 40 automakers including Tesla, BMW, Ford, GM, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, and many more. You can check the full compatibility list—filtered by brand, model, and year—on the Smartcar website.
How does Smartcar handle user consent and data privacy?
Smartcar uses an OAuth2-based consent flow called Smartcar Connect. Vehicle owners explicitly authorize your application to access their data, and they can revoke access at any time. This ensures a transparent, customer-first approach to data privacy.
Does Smartcar require any additional hardware?
No. Smartcar connects directly to the car manufacturer's existing APIs, so there is no need for OBD-II dongles or any other aftermarket hardware.
What data can I retrieve through the Smartcar API?
You can retrieve a wide range of data including battery level, state of charge, estimated range, fuel level, odometer readings, tire pressure, location, VIN, and vehicle attributes. The exact signals available vary by make and model.
Is there a free plan for developers?
Yes. Smartcar offers a free sign-up tier that allows developers to test integrations and build proofs of concept. Production usage at scale is available through paid plans—contact Smartcar for pricing details.
