Existing API Users: Update any developer.nrel.gov references in your code to developer.nlr.gov by April 30, 2026, to avoid service interruptions.
Learn more about the domain transition.
API Key Usage
After signing up, you'll be given your own, unique API key. This 40 character string is your API key. The key:
- Uniquely identifies you.
- Gives you access to NLR's web services.
- Should be kept private and should not be shared.
To use your key, simply pass the key as a URL query parameter when making web service requests. For example:
GET https://developer.nlr.gov/api/alt-fuel-stations/v1.json?limit=1&api_key=YOUR_KEY_HERE
Ways to Pass Your API Key
Your API key may be passed to the service in a few different ways. Pick which ever method is easiest for you.
HTTP Header
Pass the API key into the X-Api-Key header:
curl -H 'X-Api-Key: DEMO_KEY' 'https://developer.nlr.gov/api/alt-fuel-stations/v1.json?limit=1'
GET Query Parameter
Pass the API key into the api_key GET query string parameter:
curl 'https://developer.nlr.gov/api/alt-fuel-stations/v1.json?limit=1&api_key=YOUR_KEY_HERE'
Note: The GET query parameter may be used for non-GET requests (such as POST and PUT).
HTTP Basic Auth Username
As an alternative, pass the API key as the username (with an empty password) using HTTP basic authentication:
curl 'https://YOUR_KEY_HERE@developer.nlr.gov/api/alt-fuel-stations/v1.json?limit=1'