Originally published in EV Magazine on February 24, 2026.

By Daniel Ciarcia, Senior Carbon Consultant, EcoEngineers

EcoEngineers’ Daniel Ciarcia explains EV verification requirements in California and Canada and why organisations should begin work on these now.

EV charging has become an increasingly important pathway for reducing transportation emissions and for generating compliance credits under major fuel programmes.

Beginning with the 2026 reporting year, California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) will now require third-party verification of EV charging credits by an accredited verification body (VB). Under Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR), many operators will be verifying their EV credits for the first time because the regulation is new. For many charging operators, fleet owners, site hosts and municipalities, this will be the first time their EV data is formally audited. 

Verification under LCFS and CFR

Under the California LCFS, EV charging credits are now treated like other fuel pathways. Beginning with 2026 operating data, entities generating EV credits must submit annual reports that are independently verified by an accredited verification body, with verification statements due by August 31, 2027. While the first verified reports for LCFS are not due until 2027, the data being audited is generated in 2026. Now is the critical time to prepare. 

Under Canada’s CFR, EV charging is recognised under Compliance Category 3 as a credit-generating activity that displaces fossil fuels. Registered Credit Creators, such as charging site hosts and charging network operators, must continue to submit annual credit-creation reports, which have always been subject to third-party verification. CFR is regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, meaning non-compliance can carry serious penalties.

In both programmes, verification is no longer optional. Many organisations do not realise they are required to obtain third-party verification.

What are LCFS and CFR credits?

Under LCFS and CFR, credits can be generated from vehicle charging activity at public charging stations, fleet depots, workplace charging and certain multi-family properties with unassigned chargers. In these cases, the owner (site host) or operator of the charging equipment may be the credit generator.

Who is eligible?

Organisations that have registered and have approved pathways can generate credits under these programmes. Credits are generated through charging activity and reflected in quarterly reports for CA-LCFS filed in CARB’s LCFS Reporting Tool (LRT), and annually in Canada through Credit and Tracking System (CFR-CATS).

Three-step guide to verification

Step 1: Select your third-party VB. As required by both the California LCFS, Canada CFR and most carbon credit programmes, a third-party VB is required to confirm that the credits claimed are true and accurate and no double-counting has taken place. It is important for your VB to have the following credentials.

Accreditation status:

• California LCFS: Requires specific accreditation from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
• Canada CFR: Requires specific accreditation from an Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) designated body.
• Both Programmes: Must have mechanisms to prevent and resolve conflicts of interest.
  • Must be a member of the International Accreditation Forum.
  • Must have policies for technical training related to verification.
  • CA-LCFS must meet ISO/IEC 17011 standards, while CFR must meet ECCC Methods for Verification and Certification.

Both programmes require the VB to be accredited to ISO/IEC 17029 with scope of ISO 14065 and ISO 14066. Both also require the employment of a qualified independent reviewer with the same competencies as the team leader.

EcoEngineers is an accredited VB in California LCFS, Canada CFR, Oregon and Washington.

Step 2: Ensure metering and data are audit-ready. One of the most important and often underestimated requirements is measurement devices.

Both programmes require meters that:

• Meet accuracy and reliability standards
• Are properly installed and calibrated
• Can clearly measure electricity dispensed to EVs
• Are supported by documentation (make, model, serial number, calibration records)

Even if meters were calibrated by manufacturers at installation, entities must retain documentation to prove it. Missing or non-compliant meter records can result in adverse verification findings and potentially disallowed or reduced credits.

In addition, entities must retain session-level data internally, even if only aggregated values are submitted to regulators. Your verifying body would be able to help you ensure you are in compliance, so you don’t lose any credits unexpectedly.

Ultimately, accurate recordkeeping is essential, so reports should be backed by documentation that can pass an audit.  

Step 3: Prepare for the verification process. A typical verification includes:

• Risk and materiality assessments
• Data sampling and testing
• Document reviews
• Site visits 
• Issue resolution
• Submission of a verification opinion to regulators

A complete verification cycle usually takes around 90 days, depending on preparedness and responsiveness. 

Daniel Ciarcia is a Senior Carbon Consultant at EcoEngineers, an LRQA company, with a focus on electric vehicles, renewable electricity and energy transition programmes.