Electric Vehicles: a Glossary
New to EVs? Have a beer — glad you could make it. Those jumping over to the electric side may be daunted by a strange language: scrolls of new acronyms and figures, looking as pointy and foreign as other people’s passwords. But relax, this code isn’t as hard as it seems: in fact, you likely know much of it already. Here’s a glossary to help you dive in, or fill the gaps.
General
EV = Electric vehicle
You’ll see this one a lot. It’s a catch-all term for any vehicle (car, truck, etc.) that uses electricity as a main or secondary power. This also includes hybrid cars with backup gas tanks.
BEV = Battery electric vehicle
A vehicle that uses electricity only. Thus the maxim: all BEVs are EVs, but not all EVs are BEVs.
ICE = Internal combustion engine
A ‘traditional’, dirty engine that uses fossil fuels.
PHEV = Plug-in hybrid
A vehicle containing both an ICE and electric battery.
FCEV = Fuel cell vehicle
A vehicle powered by a fuel cell. Similar to a BEV, but instead of recharging the battery, the fuel cells are refilled with hydrogen.
ULEV = Ultra-low-emission vehicle
Any of the above vehicle types, providing they a) use low carbon technologies, and b) emit less than 75g of Co2 per kilometer.
Protocol = Technical term in computing. A protocol is a framework governing how data travels between different devices in the same network. It allows connected devices to communicate, regardless of their manufacturer or design.
OCPI = Open Charge Point Interface
A protocol between CPOs and service providers, laying the invisible infrastructure needed for EV drivers to ‘roam’ everywhere. Ever think about how our phone seamlessly switches networks when we enter a new country? It’s like that for EVs.
OCPP = Open Charge Point Protocol
Another set of rules, this time to grease communication between the Charge Point and backend management system.
Measurements
kWh = Kilowatt hours
How we measure EV battery capacity. A battery rated at 100 kWh can deliver 100 kW for one hour, 50 kW for two hours, or 1 kW for 100 hours.
Volt = A unit of power, or ‘electric potential’
Charging
Charge point = The physical location where you charge an EV. These can be private or public.
EVSE = Electric vehicle supply equipment
The individual machine you plug into. If a charge point has several EVSEs, it’s often called a charging station.
Location = Typically, this is the exact location of one or more EVSEs, but can also mean the entrance of a parking garage or gated community.
Level 1 = The slowest charge, supplying around 1.3 kW to 2.4 kW per hour. Translation: an overnight charge may deliver only 30–50 miles (50–80km) of range. Not great, but this may be enough for most commutes or urban trips.
Level 2 = A faster, and more popular charge speed that fills the average EV in eight hours or less. It’s the most common type in the US, delivering about 18–28 miles (30–45 km) of range per hour.
Level 3= Rapid charging, also known as “DC Fast Charging”. DCFC is designed to fill an EV battery to 80% in 20–40 minutes, and 100% in 60–90 minutes. The maximum current is limited only by what the EV can handle. Logically, the costs for DCFC are high, as is power consumption.
Tesla Supercharger = Tesla’s exclusive rapid charging network. Their latest V3 Supercharging has a peak speed of 250kW, flash-charging most batteries within a fraction of an hour.
Connectors and Types
Here, the industry uses several different standards, and connectors vary from vehicle to vehicle. As a result, it’s not quite as simple as knowing whether you need diesel or petrol.
Connectors = A charging cable has two ends, or connectors. One goes into the car, the other into the charge point.
Type 1 (SAE J1772) = Also known as a ‘J Plug’. This vehicle-side connector is the standard in the US and Japan.
Type 2 (‘Mennekes’)= A popular connector on new EVs. The standard in Australia and Europe.
CHAdeMO= The trade name for one rapid charging method. Used internationally by Japanese brands Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan.
CCS = Combined charging system. CCS uses existing Type 1 and Type 2 plugs, but can deliver a much faster charge.
e-Mobility actors
CPO = Charge Point Operator
Companies that own and maintain charging stations.
EMSP = Electric Mobility Service Provider
EMSPs manage the relationship with EV drivers, giving them software access to charging services.
MaaS = Mobility as a Service
Instead of using private transport, people use MaaS to easily plan, book and pay for mobility services — often within the walls of a single application. Uber is a prime example here.
Anxieties and more
SoC = State of Charge
The remaining battery power you have.
Range anxiety = the fear of your battery running out while you’re driving.
Charge anxiety = the fear of not being able to charge due to occupied charge points or queues.
Associated Technologies
Smart Charging = When charge points share information with the CPO and EMSP, who can then better manage the grid and reduce overloading.
V2G = Vehicle to Grid
A system where EVs communicate with the power grid to sell demand response services, either by returning electricity to the grid or by throttling charge rates.
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