Energy Bonus (CAE): What it is and how to claim it by car sharing

What if car sharing could give you extra income while also helping you save on fuel? Thanks to the Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) system, car sharing has an impact that goes beyond your wallet. In this Waiis guide, Waiis we explain how the system works, who can benefit and what you need to start claiming it. 

What is the Energy Bonus (CAE)? 

When we talk about the energy bonus for car sharing, we are referring to the financial compensation drivers can receive thanks to the Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) System. 

The CAE is a system regulated by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, under Royal Decree 36/2023, which makes it possible to monetise energy savings resulting from energy-efficiency measures. Each CAE certifies an saving of 1 kWh of final energy and, unlike a grant, is a mechanism through which those savings can be turned into a financial benefit via authorised entities. 

In the case of car sharing, energy is saved because several people make the same journey in one vehicle instead of travelling separately. A CAE is additional income on top of the usual compensation for sharing the journey costs. 

How does the Energy Savings Certificate system work? 

The CAE system can certify the energy savings achieved through certain energy-efficiency measures. Once those savings have been demonstrated, the Energy Savings Certificate can be purchased by companies required to meet energy-efficiency targets, generating a financial return for those who produced the savings. 

Although the technical process takes place between accredited bodies and entities, the experience is much simpler for the user. When a specialist platform properly certifies shared journeys, those savings can become financial compensation for the driver. 

In short, the process works as follows: 

1. You share a car: You take a regular journey with other people. 
2. Energy savings are generated: Fewer vehicles are needed for the journey. 
3. The savings are certified: The platform validates the savings under the CAE system. 
4. You are paid for driving: The driver receives financial compensation for those energy savings. 

Thanks to this model, everyday actions such as car sharing can generate a financial benefit in addition to the usual fuel savings. 

Who can claim a CAE? 

If you generate energy savings that can be verified, you are entitled to financial compensation. This is where car sharing works in your favour: when you use your vehicle for regular journeys with other people, you reduce the number of cars on the road. That means less fuel consumption and, therefore, real energy savings that the CAE system recognises and rewards. 

This applies whether you are an individual or manage a company fleet. It makes no difference whether you share a car to commute every day or your company wants to optimise its teams’ journeys: in both cases, the same energy savings are generated and both can benefit from the compensation. 

But there is an important detail: sharing a car is not enough. For those savings to become money, the journey must be recorded and validated by an authorised platform that manages Energy Savings Certificates. 

Eligibility requirements 

To claim the energy bonus, you generally need to meet these conditions: 

• Verify your identity: With a valid DNI or NIE. 
• Register the vehicle: If you are the driver, you must provide the car’s registration number. 
• Eligible journeys: Some bonuses only apply to trips within the same province. 
• Journey confirmation: Passengers must confirm pickup and arrival for the trip to qualify. 
• Minimum balance: Accumulate at least €10 before you can withdraw the money. 

How much can you earn with the Energy Bonus (CAE)? 

Although the figures vary by platform and number of passengers, here are real market figures for 2026: 

• Average CAE rate per kilometre: Platforms pay between €0.02 and €0.07 per kilometre per passenger as an energy bonus. 
• Worked example: If you travel 50 km a day (there and back) with 2 passengers, and your platform pays €0.04/km in CAE, you could earn around €120 a month in addition to your usual compensation. 
• Limits per trip: Some platforms set a compensation cap for each journey. 
• Minimum withdrawal balance: You generally need to accumulate at least €10 before you can withdraw the money. 

How to claim the Energy Bonus (CAE) by car sharing 

As mentioned above, to claim the energy bonus through car sharing you need to use a platform that manages the process of certifying energy savings under the CAE system. 

The process is very simple. The driver registers their regular journeys and shares the trip with people travelling compatible routes. The platform collects the information needed to verify the energy savings and handles the corresponding procedures. The money is usually paid by bank transfer or gift cards, depending on the platform. 

At Waiis, this process is fully integrated into the app, so users do not have to complete any additional paperwork. The aim is for you to keep making your usual journeys while the technology calculates, records and manages the energy savings generated. 

Benefits of claiming a CAE for drivers and businesses 

The Energy Savings Certificate system benefits both people who share cars and organisations that encourage more sustainable mobility among their employees. 

Benefits for drivers 

• Earn additional financial compensation for shared journeys (up to €120/month on regular journeys).  
• Reduce the cost of regular journeys even further.  
• Make use of a journey that is already part of your routine, without changing schedules or routes.  
• Generate a measurable environmental impact: every shared trip avoids CO₂ emissions. 

Benefits for businesses 

More and more organisations are promoting sustainable mobility plans to reduce their environmental impact and improve the employee experience. Encouraging car sharing helps reduce the need for parking spaces and traffic around workplaces. It also supports goals related to energy efficiency and corporate sustainability. In addition, these initiatives help strengthen ESG strategies and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

How to start claiming a CAE through car sharing 

Claiming the Energy Bonus (CAE) should not be complicated. If you already make the same journey to work or university every day, the first step is to use a platform that handles the whole process for you. 

At Waiis, we have integrated the Energy Savings Certificate system so you do not have to worry about paperwork or extra admin. You simply need to set up your regular route and share your car with people travelling a compatible route. The app takes care of the rest: finding the best match, recording journeys and managing the process so you can receive the financial compensation. 

The Energy Savings Certificate system shows that small everyday actions can also have a positive impact. Car sharing was already a smart way to save money and reduce emissions; now it can also earn you a reward for those energy savings. With apps like Waiis, claiming this car-sharing reward is easier than ever, turning regular journeys into an opportunity for everyone to benefit: drivers, businesses and cities.