Bridging Technology and Sustainability for California’s Electric Vehicle Owners

CommuteSaver, a Swedish cleantech startup, is joining forces with Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE) in San Francisco to unlock the untapped potential of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credit system. Through software innovation and data integration, the project empowers individual EV owners—especially ridesharing drivers—to access significant cost savings and contribute to the shift toward sustainable mobility.

California is leading the way in the United States when it comes to climate legislation and financial incentives for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)—in many cases, ahead of the European Union. One of its key tools is the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credit system, which initially subsidized EV manufacturing but since 2020 has also allowed EV owners to earn credits when charging their vehicles.

Despite this opportunity, there’s no simple, automated way for residential EV owners to participate. The current workaround—installing a dedicated EV meter at home—can cost between $3,000 and $9,000. As a result, LCFS credits are primarily claimed by large fleets and public charging operators.

Now, with Tesla recently opening its Fleet API, there’s a new opportunity to give individual drivers access to these financial benefits. Making EV ownership more economically attractive is a key challenge for accelerating electrification in California.

CommuteSaver, a Swedish cleantech startup and recent graduate of the UC Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator (through Energimyndigheten), saw this opportunity firsthand. In collaboration with Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE) in San Francisco, they are developing CommuteSaver EV—a software solution that connects directly with Tesla vehicles to automatically collect compliant charging data for LCFS credit redemption. The solution will be tested and validated by AIE and could later scale to other LCFS-aligned regions, such as Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

Project Idea

The California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credit system offers financial rewards to EV owners—but remains largely underused by individuals due to technical and cost-related barriers. Residential EV owners, rideshare drivers (e.g. Uber, Lyft), and small fleets often miss out on these credits, which today mostly benefit public charging networks and large operators.

CommuteSaver EV aims to change this. By connecting directly with Tesla vehicles via their Fleet API, the software will collect and filter charging data, then submit it to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in a compliant format. The result: eligible drivers could save 10–25% on charging costs—up to $ 2,000 per year—by receiving LCFS credits previously out of reach.

Following the proof-of-concept, the solution will be developed into a full API and integrated into a user-friendly web platform. CommuteSaver will register as a credit generator with CARB and handle the full lifecycle—from data collection to credit sale—to deliver seamless benefits to end users.

The collaboration between CommuteSaver and Capgemini Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE) in San Francisco combines Swedish digital innovation with U.S. regulatory expertise. It’s a model of transatlantic co-creation with potential to scale across North America.

As LCFS programs expand—expected to include nearly all U.S. states and Canadian provinces by 2030—this solution could accelerate the transition to electric mobility, particularly for underserved user groups. With strong potential for replication, the project lays the groundwork for broader adoption and continued joint development of sustainable, data-driven mobility services.

Project Goals

• Develop a software solution that collects charging data from Tesla vehicles via the Fleet API
• Enable compliant LCFS credit reporting to the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
• Reduce charging costs for end users through automated credit redemption
• Validate the solution through real-world testing with Capgemini AIE
• Lay the foundation for expansion into other U.S. states and Canadian provinces adopting LCFS programs

Project Activities

• Software development: Create a proof-of-concept application to extract and filter EV charging data
• API integration: Automate compliant submission of data to CARB for LCFS credit generation
• Market validation: Collaborate with AIE to test usability, pricing models, and user value
• User targeting: Focus on residential Tesla drivers, ridesharing professionals (Uber, Lyft), and small fleet operators
• Equity focus: Engage a diverse project team and target benefits toward underserved driver segments

Future Development and Impact

The solution is designed with scalability in mind. Once proven, CommuteSaver EV will be expanded to support additional OEMs as they open their APIs. Discussions are already underway with potential data partners such as WirelessCar. Beyond California, future deployment is planned across other LCFS-aligned markets, including Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and several U.S. states expected to join the program by 2030.

This innovation has the potential to create long-term financial incentives for EV adoption while contributing to regional and national climate goals. The project also strengthens transatlantic collaboration between Sweden and the United States in the field of connected, electric, and shared mobility.

Innovation projects