Navigating the world of electric vehicles (EVs) can feel overwhelming, especially with the plethora of new terms and concepts. But once you get familiar with the common terminology, understanding EVs becomes much easier, and the technology itself more approachable. Whether you’re a prospective EV owner, an enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of transportation, this glossary will help you gain clarity on the most important EV terms.
This guide covers everything from basic electrical concepts to advanced EV technologies, breaking down complex jargon into digestible explanations. Let’s dive into the world of electric vehicles.
1. Alternating Current (AC)
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Alternating Current (AC) is the type of electricity that comes from your wall socket and powers most of your household appliances. In the context of electric vehicles, AC is relevant because it’s the kind of power supplied by most residential and public charging stations.
However, EVs themselves operate on Direct Current (DC), meaning that when an EV is plugged into an AC charger, the vehicle’s onboard charger converts the AC electricity into DC to charge the battery. This conversion process differentiates AC charging from DC fast charging, which bypasses the need for conversion.
AC charging is typically slower than DC fast charging, but it’s the most common form of charging for residential setups, especially with Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
2. Amps (A)
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Amps (short for amperes) measure the flow of electric current. In the context of EVs, the number of amps multiplied by the voltage gives you the total power, which is measured in watts. Simply put, amps are a crucial factor in determining how quickly an EV can charge.
For example, a 240-volt outlet with a 10-amp current can provide 2400 watts, or 2.4 kilowatts (kW) of power. This will give you a rough estimate of how fast your home charger can replenish your EV’s battery.
3. Battery Capacity
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Battery capacity refers to the amount of energy an EV’s battery can store, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The higher the battery capacity, the more energy it can store, and thus, the longer the vehicle can travel on a single charge.
For example, a battery with a 60 kWh capacity can store enough energy to power an EV for approximately 200-300 miles, depending on the vehicle’s efficiency. Importantly, larger batteries also take longer to charge, which is why fast charging technologies are becoming more critical as EV adoption increases.
Battery capacity is a key consideration when purchasing an EV, especially as more vehicles offer features like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-load (V2L), which allow your EV’s battery to serve as a backup power source.
4. Battery Pack
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An EV battery pack is essentially the heart of the vehicle. Comprising thousands of individual battery cells, the pack stores the energy that powers the electric motors. Most EVs today use lithium-ion battery technology, similar to the batteries in smartphones and laptops but on a much larger scale.
When the accelerator is pressed, the battery pack sends current to the electric motors, propelling the vehicle. Under braking, the battery pack can receive energy via regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy back into stored electricity.
EV battery packs are high-voltage systems and should only be serviced by trained professionals. In addition to the high-voltage battery, EVs also have a traditional 12-volt battery to power smaller systems like lights and infotainment.
5. Charge Rate
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Charge rate refers to the amount of power (measured in kW) that a charger can supply to an EV’s battery. The higher the charge rate, the faster the battery can be replenished.
For example, a Level 2 charger typically provides 7-22 kW of power, while a DC fast charger can deliver 50 kW or more. As a general rule, the charge rate directly correlates with how quickly you can “refuel” your EV, but it’s also important to know that each EV has a maximum charge rate it can accept.
6. Direct Current (DC)
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Direct Current (DC) is the type of electricity stored in EV batteries. Unlike Alternating Current (AC), which changes direction periodically, DC flows in a single direction. EVs require DC to operate, which is why DC fast chargers can charge an EV much quicker than AC chargers—they deliver power directly to the battery without needing to convert it.
7. Driving Range
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Driving range is one of the most critical factors for EV owners. It refers to how far an EV can travel on a single charge, typically measured in miles or kilometers. The range of an EV can vary significantly depending on factors like battery capacity, driving conditions, and the vehicle’s efficiency.
There are three primary standards for measuring EV driving range:
- NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) – An older, less accurate method that often overestimates range.
- WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) – A more realistic and modern standard used in Europe.
- EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) – The US-based standard, often considered the most accurate for real-world conditions.
8. Electric Motors
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An electric motor is what drives an EV’s wheels. Unlike internal combustion engines (ICEs), electric motors use electricity from the battery to generate rotational force, or torque, which moves the vehicle forward. One of the key advantages of electric motors is that they provide instant torque, giving EVs rapid acceleration compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Electric motors can be found in various configurations in EVs. Some vehicles have a single motor driving one set of wheels (front or rear), while others have multiple motors for all-wheel drive or performance purposes.
9. Fast Charging
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Fast charging refers to charging methods that can replenish an EV’s battery much quicker than standard AC charging. Typically, fast chargers use DC and can deliver power at rates of 50 kW or more. For instance, using a fast charger, you might be able to charge an EV from 20% to 80% in under 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle and the charger.
Fast charging is commonly found at public charging stations, and it’s an essential feature for long-distance travel or when you need a quick charge during a road trip.
10. ICE and ICE’d
ICE stands for Internal Combustion Engine, which refers to conventional vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel. The term ICE’d refers to the frustrating situation when a gas-powered vehicle blocks an EV charging station, preventing EV drivers from accessing the charger.
As EV adoption grows, proper charging etiquette is essential, and being “ICE’d” is considered poor behaviour in the EV community.
11. Kilowatt (kW)
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A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. In the context of EVs, kilowatts are used to measure two things:
- The power output of an EV’s electric motors.
- The charging power of EV charging stations.
For example, an EV motor that produces 100 kW has approximately 134 horsepower, while a 50 kW fast charger can deliver 50 kWh of energy to an EV in one hour.
12. Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
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Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy that represents the amount of power used over time. It is the most common measurement for battery capacity in EVs. For instance, an EV with a 60 kWh battery can theoretically deliver 60 kW of power for one hour.
In practical terms, the higher the kWh rating of an EV’s battery, the longer the vehicle can travel before needing to be recharged.
13. Onboard Charger
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Every EV has an onboard charger, which is responsible for converting AC power from a charging station into DC power that can be stored in the vehicle’s battery. The onboard charger plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of power flowing into the battery, ensuring safe and efficient charging.
14. Plug Types – Type 1, Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO
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One of the more confusing aspects of EV ownership is the variety of charging plug types. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
- Type 1 (J1772): Primarily used in North America for AC charging.
- Type 2 (Mennekes): Commonly used in Europe for AC charging.
- CCS Combo 1 and 2: Combines AC and DC charging capabilities into one plug, allowing for both slow and fast charging.
- CHAdeMO: A fast-charging standard used primarily by Japanese automakers.
As the industry evolves, there’s a push toward standardization, with CCS becoming the dominant plug type globally.
15. Regenerative Braking
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Regenerative braking is a feature in EVs that captures energy normally lost during braking and converts it back into electrical energy to recharge the battery. When you lift your foot off the accelerator, the electric motor works in reverse, slowing the car down while generating electricity.
Regenerative braking can be adjusted in most EVs, with some offering one-pedal driving, where the car slows down significantly when you lift off the accelerator, reducing the need to use the brake pedal.
16. State of Charge (SoC)
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State of Charge (SoC) is the EV equivalent of a fuel gauge in a gasoline-powered car. It indicates the percentage of the battery’s capacity that is currently available. For example, if your EV’s SoC is 80%, you still have 80% of the battery’s energy available for driving.
17. State of Health (SoH)
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State of Health (SoH) measures the overall health of the battery, indicating how much capacity remains compared to when the battery was new. Over time, lithium-ion batteries degrade, and SoH helps EV owners understand how much driving range they can expect as their vehicle ages.
18. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows an EV to both receive electricity from the grid and send power back to it. This can help balance the demand on the grid during peak hours and even allow EV owners to sell electricity back to the utility, effectively turning the car into a mobile power plant.
19. Vehicle-to-Home (V2H)
Vehicle-to-home (V2H) is a similar technology to V2G, but instead of sending power back to the grid, the EV can power an entire home. This is especially useful during power outages or in areas with unreliable grid infrastructure.
20. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) allows an EV to power individual devices or appliances, such as camping equipment or home electronics. For example, some EVs can be used to power a refrigerator, TV, or even a small air conditioner during a trip, making V2L a versatile feature for outdoor enthusiasts.
21. Wall Box
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A wall box is a dedicated home EV charging unit that provides faster charging than a standard household outlet. Most wall boxes use Level 2 AC charging, which can significantly reduce the time it takes to charge an EV at home. Some advanced models even offer smart charging features, such as scheduling and energy monitoring.
A Quick Wrap Up Summary
| Term | Recap |
| Alternating Current (AC) | The type of electricity supplied by the grid; must be converted to DC for EV charging. |
| Amps (A) | A measure of electric current; determines how fast electricity flows into an EV. |
| Battery Capacity | The total energy a battery can store, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). |
| Battery Pack | A collection of battery cells that store energy to power the EV’s electric motors. |
| Charge Rate | The speed at which an EV battery charges, measured in kilowatts (kW). |
| Direct Current (DC) | The type of electricity stored in EV batteries and supplied by fast chargers. |
| Driving Range | The distance an EV can travel on a single charge, influenced by battery size and efficiency. |
| Electric Motors | Devices that convert electrical energy into rotational force to drive the EV’s wheels. |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) | Any vehicle powered by electricity, including fully electric (BEVs), hybrids (HEVs), and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). |
| Fast Charging | High-powered charging (50kW or more) that rapidly refuels an EV using DC power. |
| ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) | Traditional vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel, as opposed to electric motors. |
| ICE’d | When a gas-powered vehicle blocks access to an EV charging station. |
| Kilowatt (kW) | A unit of power, used to measure motor output and charging speed. |
| Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) | A unit of energy, used to measure battery capacity and how much electricity an EV can store. |
| Onboard Charger | The system inside an EV that converts AC power to DC to charge the battery. |
| Plug Types | Different connector standards for EV charging, including Type 1, Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO, and Tesla. |
| Regenerative Braking | A feature that recaptures energy during braking and stores it back in the battery. |
| State of Charge (SoC) | The amount of charge left in an EV’s battery, shown as a percentage. |
| State of Health (SoH) | The condition of an EV’s battery, showing how much capacity remains compared to when it was new. |
| Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) | Technology that allows an EV to send power back to the grid. |
| Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) | Enables an EV to power a home using its battery during a power outage. |
| Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) | Allows an EV to power appliances or devices directly from its battery. |
| Wall Box | A dedicated home charging unit that provides faster charging than a standard outlet. |
Conclusion
As electric vehicles become more commonplace, understanding the associated terminology is crucial for both new and seasoned drivers. This glossary serves as a comprehensive guide to the most important EV terms, helping you make informed decisions and feel more confident about the future of electric mobility. Whether you’re buying your first EV or simply curious about the technology, knowing the language is the first step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
