title: Smartcar Vocabulary
description: >-
  Core terminology and concepts for the Smartcar connected vehicle platform,
  encompassing vehicle connectivity, telemetry signals, permissions, commands,
  and multi-OEM integration patterns.
created: '2026-05-02'
modified: '2026-05-02'
terms:
  - term: Connection
    definition: >-
      An authorized link between a user's vehicle and a Smartcar-powered
      application, established via OAuth 2.0. Each connection grants the
      application specific permissions to read data from or send commands to
      that vehicle.
    related:
      - OAuth
      - Permission
      - Vehicle

  - term: Vehicle ID
    definition: >-
      A Smartcar-assigned unique identifier for a connected vehicle. Used in
      all API calls to identify which vehicle to query or command. Distinct
      from the VIN.
    aliases:
      - vehicleId
    related:
      - VIN
      - Connection

  - term: Permission
    definition: >-
      A discrete scope granted by a vehicle owner during OAuth authorization
      that allows an application to access a specific type of vehicle data
      (e.g., read_battery, read_location) or send a command (e.g.,
      control_charge, control_security).
    related:
      - OAuth Scope
      - Authorization

  - term: Signal
    definition: >-
      A real-time telemetry data point read from a vehicle such as battery
      level, odometer, location, fuel, or engine oil life. Each signal
      requires a corresponding read permission.
    aliases:
      - Telemetry
    related:
      - Battery
      - Odometer
      - Location

  - term: Batch Request
    definition: >-
      A single API call that bundles multiple data requests (e.g., battery +
      location + odometer) into one HTTP request and returns all responses
      together, reducing latency and API call overhead.
    related:
      - Signal
      - Performance

  - term: OEM
    definition: >-
      Original Equipment Manufacturer. In Smartcar context, an automotive
      manufacturer (e.g., Tesla, Ford, BMW, Honda) whose connected vehicle
      platform Smartcar integrates with. A single Smartcar integration
      provides access to multiple OEM vehicles.
    aliases:
      - Automaker
    related:
      - Multi-OEM

  - term: Charge State
    definition: >-
      The current EV charging progression, one of: CHARGING (actively
      charging), FULLY_CHARGED (at target level), or NOT_CHARGING (plugged in
      but not charging or unplugged).
    related:
      - Battery
      - EV

  - term: Charge Limit
    definition: >-
      The maximum battery charge level (as a decimal from 0.5 to 1.0) that
      an EV will charge to. Set by the vehicle owner or via the Smartcar API
      using the control_charge permission.
    related:
      - Charging
      - EV

  - term: DTC
    definition: >-
      Diagnostic Trouble Code. A standardized OBD-II code (e.g., P0300)
      indicating a fault detected by the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system.
      Smartcar surfaces active DTCs via the read_diagnostics permission.
    aliases:
      - Diagnostic Trouble Code
      - OBD-II Code
    related:
      - Diagnostics
      - Vehicle Health

  - term: Access Token
    definition: >-
      A short-lived (2-hour) OAuth 2.0 bearer token used to authenticate
      API calls to the Smartcar Vehicle API. Obtained via the Authorization
      Code flow (user-authorized) or Client Credentials flow (server-to-server).
    related:
      - OAuth
      - Authentication

  - term: Refresh Token
    definition: >-
      A longer-lived token used to obtain a new access token without requiring
      user re-authorization. Smartcar refresh tokens are invalidated 10 minutes
      after use.
    related:
      - Access Token
      - OAuth

  - term: EV
    definition: >-
      Electric Vehicle. A vehicle powered entirely by electric motors with a
      battery pack. Smartcar provides EV-specific signals (battery, charge
      status, charge limit) and commands (start/stop charging, set charge limit).
    aliases:
      - Electric Vehicle
      - BEV
    related:
      - Battery
      - Charging

  - term: ICE
    definition: >-
      Internal Combustion Engine. A vehicle powered by a gasoline or diesel
      engine. Smartcar provides ICE-specific signals such as fuel tank level,
      engine oil life, and odometer.
    aliases:
      - Gas Vehicle
    related:
      - Fuel
      - Engine Oil

  - term: Compatibility
    definition: >-
      Whether a specific vehicle make, model, and year supports connection
      to Smartcar and which signals/commands are available. Check via the
      Compatibility API before attempting to connect a vehicle.
    related:
      - OEM
      - Signal