Tesla becomes Invers’ first hardware-free car-sharing solution

Car-sharing operators can add Teslas to their fleet without extra hardware, using an integration system provided by tech platform Invers.

Car-sharing operators can use Invers’ integration system to add Teslas to their fleet without installing additional hardware, the tech platform has confirmed.

Tesla’s API already allows for hardware-free connectivity. With Invers’ OEM Integrations technology, operators can add Teslas to their platforms without fitting telematics units or other aftermarket devices – making Tesla the first brand to have this capability.

Once authorised, operators can onboard multiple Teslas at once to enable basic car-sharing functions “instantly.”

Invers’ CEO Alexander Kirn told Zag Daily that the tech platform is “already seeing” Teslas play a role in shared mobility, particularly in peer-to-peer and car rental segments.

Kirn expects the market to diversify, with other OEMs increasingly offering “comparable” technical features in their APIs to make car-sharing easier.

Eliminating additional hardware is a “clear efficiency driver,” according to Kirn. This is because removing external hardware reduces costs, speeds up onboarding and offboarding, and minimizes downtime, as vehicles no longer need to visit a workshop.

With the integration, essential data points are available directly through Tesla vehicles. This information includes location, mileage, door status, and central locking, as well as charging status and seatbelt use.

Invers’ platform modifies how the Tesla API is used in a shared context. It adjusts the data request frequency to limit costs, ensuring that core information, such as mileage and state of charge, is updated in real-time, while less critical data is received less often.

The Invers system also applies a Guest mode at the start of each rental. This restricts users from changing key settings and allows operators to automatically remove personal data, such as navigation history.

“With Tesla, we see the first OEM API that is truly suitable for professional car-sharing operations and a promising signal for the industry’s future,” Kirn said. However, whilst car-sharing operators will “welcome” Teslas into their fleets, Kirn said that vehicle selection is based on multiple factors including availability, price, brand perception and regional demand.