- Electric Vehicle (EV): A vehicle that runs on electricity stored in rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device.
- Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): An electric vehicle that is powered solely by an electric battery and does not have an internal combustion engine.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A hybrid vehicle that can be charged using an external power source and typically has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
- Charging Station: A facility or device where electric vehicles can be charged. Also known as an EV charging station or charging point.
- Charging Infrastructure: The network of charging stations and related equipment that supports the charging of electric vehicles.
- Level 1 Charging: The slowest level of electric vehicle charging, typically using a standard household electrical outlet. Also known as "trickle charging."
- Level 2 Charging: Medium-speed charging using a 240-volt power source, often found at public charging stations, workplaces, and residential garages.
- DC Fast Charging (DCFC): High-speed charging using direct current (DC) power, allowing for quicker charging times compared to Level 2 charging.
- Charging Connector/Plug: The physical interface used to connect an electric vehicle to a charging station. Different regions may have different standards (e.g., Type 1, Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO).
- Range Anxiety: The concern or fear that an electric vehicle driver may experience about running out of battery power before reaching their destination.
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): A unit of energy commonly used to measure the capacity of electric vehicle batteries and the amount of energy consumed during charging.
- Battery Management System (BMS): A system that monitors and manages the health, performance, and charging/discharging of an electric vehicle's battery.
- Regenerative Braking: A braking system that recovers and stores energy normally lost during braking to recharge the electric vehicle's battery.
- State of Charge (SOC): The percentage of a battery's full capacity that is currently available or remaining.
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE): The equipment or infrastructure used to supply electric power to electric vehicles for charging. This includes charging stations, connectors, and related hardware.
- Smart Charging: The use of advanced technologies and communication systems to optimise the charging of electric vehicles, taking into account factors like grid demand and electricity prices.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): A system that enables bidirectional flow of electricity between an electric vehicle and the power grid, allowing the vehicle to serve as a source of power during peak demand.
- Onboard Charger: The component in an electric vehicle that converts AC power from a charging station into DC power to charge the vehicle's battery.
- Home Charging: The process of charging an electric vehicle at a residential location, often using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.
- Public Charging: Charging an electric vehicle at a charging station located in public places, such as shopping centers, parking lots, and along highways.
- Type 2 Connector: A standard charging connector widely used in Europe for Level 2 charging. It is the most common connector for public charging stations.
- Combined Charging System (CCS): A fast-charging standard for electric vehicles in Europe, combining both AC and DC charging capabilities in a single plug.
- CHAdeMO: A fast-charging standard, primarily used by Japanese and some European electric vehicle manufacturers. It provides high-power DC charging.
- Zap-Map: A popular mobile app and online platform in the UK that provides information on electric vehicle charging locations, real-time availability, and user reviews.
- OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles): The UK government office responsible for promoting the uptake of low and zero-emission vehicles, including electric vehicles.
- ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone): An area in a city, often in the city center, where only vehicles meeting strict emission standards, including electric vehicles, are allowed to enter without incurring additional charges.
- EV Grant: Financial incentives provided by governments to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles. In the UK, this may refer to the Plug-in Car Grant or similar programs.
- Charge Point Operator (CPO): A company or entity responsible for installing, operating, and maintaining electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including public charging stations.
- eRoaming: The ability for electric vehicle users to access and use charging stations across different networks, often facilitated by roaming agreements between charging point operators.
- AC Charging: Alternating current charging, which includes Level 1 and Level 2 charging. AC charging is commonly used in residential and public charging infrastructure.
- DC Charging Hub: A centralised location that offers multiple DC fast-charging stations, often found along highways or in strategic locations for long-distance travel.
- ISO 15118: A standard for communication between electric vehicles and charging stations, facilitating smart charging features and interoperability.
- Green Number Plates: Special license plates used in some European countries, including the UK, to identify electric vehicles. This can provide certain privileges, such as access to bus lanes or reduced parking fees.
- Incentive Schemes: Government-sponsored programs or incentives to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, which may include tax benefits, grants, and reduced registration fees.
- Grid Integration: The process of integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the electricity grid, allowing for optimised charging and load management.
- Rapid Charging: Another term for DC fast charging, emphasising the quick charging capabilities for electric vehicles.
- Energy Suppliers: Companies that provide electricity services, including tariffs and plans specifically designed for electric vehicle owners.
- Energy Tariffs: Specialised electricity pricing plans that may offer reduced rates during off-peak hours to encourage charging during times of lower demand.
- Cable Tether: Refers to the physical connection between the charging station and the electric vehicle during the charging process.
- Plug-in Van Grant: A government incentive in the UK offering financial support to businesses purchasing eligible plug-in electric vans.
- Energy Storage: The use of batteries or other storage systems to store excess energy generated during periods of low demand, which can then be used during peak demand or when needed.
- Bi-Directional Charging: A technology that enables electric vehicles to not only receive a charge but also to discharge energy back to the grid or other connected devices. This is also known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
- ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Mandate: Regulatory measures that require automakers to produce and sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
- EV Road Tax: The annual vehicle tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) that electric vehicle owners may be required to pay in some countries, though exemptions or reduced rates may apply.
- Public Charging Tariffs: The pricing structure for using public charging stations, which may vary based on factors such as charging speed, time of day, and membership plans.
- Hubject: A European platform that facilitates eRoaming by connecting different charging networks, making it easier for electric vehicle users to access charging stations across providers.
- Smart Grid: An advanced electricity grid that uses digital technology to optimise the generation, distribution, and consumption of electricity, often integrated with electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Tethered Cable: A charging cable permanently attached to the charging station, making it convenient for electric vehicle users as they don't need to carry their own cable.
- Kilowatt Demand Charge: A pricing structure where customers are charged not only for the energy consumed (kWh) but also for the peak power demand (kW) during a specific time period, impacting the cost of fast charging infrastructure for businesses.
- Residential Charging Grant: Financial incentives or grants provided by governments to support the installation of home charging stations for electric vehicles.
- EV Telematics: The use of telecommunications and informatics in electric vehicles to monitor and transmit data related to vehicle performance, charging status, and location.
- Smart Charging App: Mobile applications that enable electric vehicle users to locate charging stations, check availability, monitor charging progress, and sometimes pay for charging services.
- EV-Ready Buildings: Structures designed or retrofitted with the necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle charging, such as dedicated parking spaces with pre-installed wiring.
- Charge Curve: A graphical representation of how an electric vehicle's battery charges over time, showing the rate of charging at different battery percentages.
- Dynamic Charging: Charging systems that can adjust the charging power based on real-time factors such as grid demand, electricity prices, and the charging station's capabilities.
- Carbon Intensity: A measure of how much carbon dioxide equivalent emissions are associated with the production of electricity, influencing the environmental impact of electric vehicle charging.
- AC/DC Converter: A device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) or vice versa, depending on the needs of the electric vehicle or charging infrastructure.
- Electric Vehicle Association (EVA): Organisations or groups dedicated to promoting and supporting the adoption of electric vehicles through advocacy, education, and community engagement.
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Companies that manufacture electric vehicles or components for electric vehicles, including major automakers and specialised suppliers.