1. What cookies are
Cookies are small text files a website stores in your browser. They let the site remember you across page loads and visits. Similar technologies (local storage, session storage) work the same way.
2. Cookies we use
- Strictly necessary — sign-in sessions, admin gating, checkout state, and security tokens. The site cannot function without these.
- Preference — remembering settings like theme or dismissing a banner.
- Analytics — aggregated, non-identifying counts of page views and referrers so we can improve the site.
- Portal presence — a short-lived identifier that tells us you are currently active in the portal so our support team can reach you in real time.
- Security — signals used to detect automated abuse, rate-limit probing, and fraudulent checkout attempts.
We do not use cookies for cross-site advertising or to build advertising profiles.
Device identifier (optional)
When you choose to find nearby chargers or start a session, we use your device's precise location to match you to a station. We don't collect location in the background, and you can turn it off at any time in your browser.
Separately, if you tap "Allow device identifier", we set two first-party cookies for one year: evf_dev (a random device id) and evf_dfp (a coarse fingerprint from screen size, language, time zone, and processor count). They exist so we can enforce a block on a browser that has abused the service. "Essential only" skips both cookies. Google Analytics is not loaded unless you have opted in and we have explicitly enabled it.
3. Third parties
Our payment processor (Stripe) sets cookies during checkout for fraud prevention and to remember your saved payment methods. Google Maps sets cookies and local storage when a map, address autocomplete, or route plan is displayed, and our telematics provider (Smartcar) sets cookies during the vehicle-connection flow if you choose to link your car. These are governed by those companies' own privacy and cookie policies.
4. Managing cookies
You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings at any time. Blocking strictly necessary cookies will prevent parts of the Service (checkout, sign-in) from working.
5. Changes
If we materially change how we use cookies, we will update the "Effective" date above.
6. Contact
Email privacy@evfreedom.energy with any questions.