SparkPath

SparkPath is an EV-only rideshare app that optimizes routes and pooling while tracking carbon savings and helping users ride greener with real-time insights and a smart assistant.

Comment

Inspiration

Our inspiration for SparkPath came from the urgent need to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions, which account for nearly a quarter of global CO₂ output. While electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative, most rideshare platforms still prioritize convenience over sustainability. We saw an opportunity to reimagine ridesharing—one where EVs, smart routing, and user education work together to create meaningful environmental impact. SparkPath was born from the belief that sustainability shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be built into every mile.

What it does

SparkPath is an all-electric rideshare platform that optimizes routing and pooling to make transportation more sustainable and efficient. Drivers can post their planned trips on the platform, allowing riders to join if they're heading in a similar direction. This helps drivers save time—such as by using express lanes—and contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions. Both riders and drivers can track their environmental impact through an interactive dashboard. SparkPath also features a built-in Gemini-powered assistant that answers natural-language questions, making green travel simpler and more accessible.

How we built it

The frontend of SparkPath was built using React.js with custom CSS for styling, providing a responsive and user-friendly interface. The backend was developed with Flask, integrating the Gemini API to power the conversational assistant. MongoDB was used to store user data, ride details, and carbon tracking metrics. For the interactive map and route visualization, the Leaflet API was implemented to display real-time trip and charging information.

Challenges we ran into

A key challenge was integrating the Leaflet API, which was completely new to us. Customizing it to work with React required trial and error, especially when handling map layers and interactivity. Despite the learning curve, it became a core part of the platform that greatly enhanced the user experience.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that we were able to bring most of our original ideas to life and see them come together into a cohesive platform. From EV-specific features to the smart assistant, each component aligned closely with our initial vision. Despite the technical challenges, we stayed true to our goals and delivered a meaningful user experience. Seeing SparkPath function as we imagined it was incredibly rewarding.

What we learned

Through this project, we learned how to work with new technologies like Leaflet and OpenStreetMap to build interactive mapping features. We also gained experience using React Router to manage navigation and page transitions. Leaflet and OpenStreetMap taught us how to render maps, place markers, and handle user interactions on the map effectively.

What's next for SparkPath

Some next steps for SparkPath include enhancing the pooling algorithm to better match riders based on real-time traffic and route data, as well as integrating more detailed EV metrics such as battery health and charging history. We also plan to expand the smart assistant’s capabilities to provide more personalized insights and eco-friendly travel suggestions. Improving the map experience with live vehicle tracking and charger availability would further increase user convenience. Additionally, conducting user testing and gathering feedback will help refine the interface and guide future feature development.

Built With

Share this project:

Updates