Carbon Credits
How do these reward programs pay?
The basis of these reward programs is in Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR). These programs are basically generating carbon credits from collecting data or providing EV charging (aggregators). Then they sell the credits on the marketplace after the end of the year (to “polluters” who need them, such as fuel companies that are required to reduce their carbon intensity). Some of these proceeds are then passed onto the member.
Note: this is not from government funds (such as from taxes), but a government regulation that requires companies to lower their carbon intensity.
Caveat – As with any business, there is potential that an individual business could be a scam or have onerous Terms such as fees. So still do your due diligence.
Also, if the government was to modify/cancel the CFR, would change these programs as well. This post is to address the concept of these companies being able to pay for charging.