EV Model Terminology
Electric cars are part of a new generation of vehicles using alternative energy sources. But what does this really mean? And what marketing terminology used by "electric vehicle" manufacturers should you understand?
AFV (Alternative Fuel Vehicle)
An alternative fuel vehicle uses something other than gasoline as a power source. This includes electricity, propane, methanol, petroleum gas, ethanol, natural gas, and vehicles that use any combination of these.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Vehicles that depend on a battery solely as a source of power are battery-electric vehicles.
eTrunk™️
Chevy uses the term eTrunk to refer to the storage space in the front of the vehicle that was traditionally used to house the engine.
Factory ZERO
GM calls its electric vehicle factory Factory Zero. The factory was formally called Detroit-Hamtramck.
FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)
Hydrogen vehicles use a fuel cell to generate electricity to power the car.
Frunk
The term frunk is a combination of the words front and trunk. It refers to the storage space in the front of the vehicle that was traditionally taken up by the engine.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A hybrid vehicle uses both a combustion engine and an electric motor to power it. You do not plug these vehicles in. Instead, the electric battery gets recharged through regenerative braking. The electric motor acts as an assistive or supportive force for the combustion engine.
ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
An internal combustion engine is a traditional fuel-powered motor that is the traditional method for powering cars.
MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
A mild hybrid electric vehicle primarily relies on a combustion engine. It gets supplemental support from an electric motor. These cars do not operate on battery power alone at any time.
NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)
A neighborhood electric vehicle is a small and low-speed vehicle not designed for public road operation. For example, a golf cart.
PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A plug-in hybrid vehicle has a bigger battery pack than a traditional hybrid car. This lets you drive these vehicles a moderate distance on battery power alone.
EV Driving Terminology
Moving from internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles introduces a whole new powertrain. While many of the traditional driving and performance related terms are still relevant, there is some new terminology that's worth knowing.
AER (All Electric Range)
The all-electric range is the maximum distance an electric car can travel on solely electric power from the onboard battery.
BHS (Battery Heating System)
Batteries lose their effectiveness when the temperatures drop too low. A battery heating system warms the battery and helps it to operate more efficiently when temperatures drop.
Drag Coefficient
The drag coefficient is a measurement of wind resistance on an electric car. The more wind drag, the higher the coefficient. The greater the drag, the harder the motor has to work to move the vehicle.
Drive Unit
A drive unit is the reducer and electric motor. It is what “drives” the car by creating torque and horsepower.
Hp (horsepower)
A horsepower is a unit of measurement that defines a vehicle’s engine power.
LDC (Low-Voltage DC-DC Converter)
The low-voltage DC converter in electric cars takes power from the battery and converts it into a safe electrical current that can power the supplemental accessories and systems in the car. For example, this lower power allows the headlights and taillights to operate without blowing their bulbs or fuses.
mpkWh (Miles Per Kilowatt-Hour)
The mpkWh is a unit of measurement that tells you how many miles an electric car can travel on a single kilowatt of electricity.
One Pedal Driving
Instead of using separate acceleration and brake pedals, one pedal driving lets you use a single pedal for both. You need to turn it on before you can start using it.
Reducer
The reducer converts the electric motor’s torque into RPMs. It performs a similar function as the standard transmission in a gasoline-powered car.
Regenerative Braking (Regen)
Electric cars use regenerative braking to give the battery an additional charge. When you press the brake, you slow the vehicle's momentum and recharge the battery. This method of recharging is not as powerful or effective as plug-in charging.
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute)
Revolutions per minute is a unit of measurement that defines how many times a crankshaft rotates in a minute.
Torque
The force required to rotate an object around an axis is called torque.
Wireless Battery Management System (wBMS)
The wireless battery management system monitors the battery’s cell health and helps optimize the battery’s performance.
EV Costs Terminology
The price and cost structure of electric cars differs from traditional gasoline and diesel cars. So what terminology should you know when making the comparison and trying to make smart purchases?
Incentives
An incentive is a government-backed promotion that incentivizes people to buy an electric car. Examples of an incentive include rebates, perks, utility discounts, or tax credits.
Rebate
A rebate is a partial refund of the purchase price paid for a new electric car.
Tax Credit
There are federal and state tax credits that you can claim when filing your taxes for the year you bought your electric car. The amount of tax credit varies based on the car’s battery capacity and the manufacturer you buy the car from.
EV Charging Terminology
While charging an electric vehicle is easy, there is a number of new terms and definitions that make it sound complex. Below, we try to break down these terms and explain what they really mean.
AC (Alternating Current)
Alternating current is a type of electrical current. The term refers to how the electrons move back and forth – almost alternating – as they flow. Level 1 and 2 charging stations use AC power.
Amp
An amp is a unit of electricity that measures the strength of the electrical current. Amp is short for ampere.
Ah (Amp Hours)
An amp hour is how many amps per hour an electric car battery can deliver. The Ah reading tells you the car battery’s capacity.
Charging Adapter
A charging adaptor is a connector that makes an electric car compatible with different charging stations.
Charging App
Public charging station networks typically require you to download an application to your smartphone. You will then use the app to pay for the charging service. This could be a per-use charge or a monthly subscription.
Charging Cable
The cable is the cord that extends from the charging station with a connector on the end. Use this cable to plug the connector into the electric car and begin charging an electric car.
Charging Connector
The charging connector is the component at the end of the cable. It completes the connection between the charging station and the electric vehicle. In North America, it is the SAE J1772 connector.
Charging Point
A charging point is a place where electric vehicle owners can charge their cars. This could be a home, office, parking garage, or another destination.
Charging Speed
Charging speed is how quickly the battery in an electric car regains its charge. Level 1 charging is the slowest. Level 2 is slightly faster. Level 3 or superchargers are the fastest.
Charging Station
A charging station is a unit located at a charging point. Owners plug their electric cars into the charging station to begin charging. They are sometimes called Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).
Charging Time
The charging time is the amount of time it takes to recharge the battery in an electric car.
CHAdeMO Plug
A CHAdeMO plug is a type of charging cable connector with a four-pin design. It is the standard connector for DC charging power that can support up to 100kW.
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A combined charging system is a connecter that can handle chargers up to 350kW. The DC pins in the connector make it universally compatible with charging stations.
CPO (Charge Point Operator)
The charging point operator manages a network of charging stations. They install new equipment, maintain charging stations, and make necessary repairs.
CPI (Charge Point Installer)
The charge point installers add and set up new charging stations.
DC (Direct Current) Fast Charging
Level 3 or Supercharger charging stations are DC fast charging stations. They can charge the majority of electric cars up to 80% of an electric car’s battery in 30-45 minutes.
eMSP (Electro-Mobility Service Provider)
An electro-mobility service provider is a company that provides electric car owners access to a local network of charging stations. The provider will handle membership billing, location maintenance, and availability information.
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
The electric vehicle supply equipment is inside the charging station. It facilitates and regulates the communication between the electric car and the charging station.
Home Charging
Plugging an electric car into an outlet in your home trigger home charging. This is a private charging activity that is not available to the public.
kW (Kilowatts = 1,000 Watts)
A kilowatt is a unit of measurement that represents 1,000 watts. Kilowatts measure the amount of electricity that a vehicle’s battery can generate.
kWh (Kilowatt-Hour)
Kilowatts per hour is a unit of measurement that dictates how many kilowatts an electric car’s battery can output in a single hour.
Level 1 Charging
This is the slowest charging speed and is best used when you plan to be plugged in for several hours. Typically done at home, Level 1 charging is done through a 120-volt plug. You gain 3-5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 charging is done with a 208-240 volt source. This makes it faster than Level 1 charging. Charging an electric vehicle from empty to full typically takes about four hours. The majority of public charging stations are Level 2.
Level 3 Charging
The term Level3 and Supercharger are often used interchangeably for the fastest charging stations. They can top off an electric car battery in about 30 minutes. The charging speed is 75-1,200 range of miles added per hour.
Off-Peak Charging
Off-peak charging is when there is less demand at charging stations, so rates drop. This typically happens late at night.
Ω (Ohms)
An ohm is a unit of measurement that defines electrical resistance. It tells you how well a material conducts electricity.
OBC (On-Board Charger)
An on-board charger converts an AC electrical charge into DC power. It can then use the converted DC electricity to charge the car’s battery.
OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface)
Electric car owners can use an open charge point interface to find information about charging locations and prices.
OSCP (Open Smart Charging Protocol)
The open smart charging protocol helps manage the overall electrical grid by facilitating communication between charging station operators and energy production and management systems.
OPA (Open Charge Alliance)
The Open Charge Alliance is a regulatory agency that oversees open smart charging protocol (OSCP) and open charge point protocols (OCPP).
Public Charging
Charging stations that are available to the general public perform public charging services.
Resistor
A resistor is a component in a battery that regulates or limits the active electrical flow.
SAE J1772
The standard electric vehicle connector plug in North America is the SAE J1772.
Single-Phase Charging
Only one cable is used to attach to the connector in single-phase charging.
Site Owner
The site owner is the individual or entity that owns the charging station.
Transistor
A transistor is a component in an electrical circuit that controls the flow of electricity.
Type 1 Plug
A single-phase plug is called a Type 1 plug. It can handle charging electricity power up to 7.4 kW.
Type 2 Plug
A triple-phase plug is called a Type 2 plug. It can handle electricity power up to 250kW.
V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid)
The vehicle-to-grid system enables electric cars to communicate with the power grid. It allows electricity to flow in both directions.
Volts
A volt measures electrical force when a charge moves from one point to another.
Watts
A watt is a measurement of electrical power that indicates the rate electrical power dissipates.
Wh/kg (Watt-Hours per Kilogram)
The watt-hours per kilogram measure an electric car’s battery. It measures energy density relative to the battery’s weight. The higher the measurement, the better. This means more energy with less mass.
Wh/L (Watt-Hours per Liter)
The watt-hour per liter measures the electric car battery’s power in relation to its volume. Similar to Wh/kg, the higher, the better.
EV Range Terminology
Electric vehicle range refers to how far an electric car can travel on a single charge and how efficiently the car uses power while traveling. But what do all the related abbreviations and terms mean?
AER (All Electric Range)
The all-electric range is the distance an electric car can drive using solely electricity.
EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle)
An extended-range electric vehicle operates primarily on electric power. However, it also has a combustion engine that takes over when the battery dies. The engine doesn’t directly power the wheels like with a hybrid.
Range
The total distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single full charge.
Range Anxiety
Range anxiety is the fear some electric car drivers feel when driving a purely electric car. Studies show that range anxiety becomes less prevalent over time as someone becomes more experienced with driving an electric car.
REx (Range Extender)
A secondary onboard generator can extend an electric car’s range. It has a small combustion engine that kicks in when the battery runs out.
RPH (Range Per Hour)
The range per hour is how many miles a particular charging station can deliver to electric cars in a single hour. This would be the charging station’s capacity.
EV Battery Terminology
Electric vehicle battery terms relate to the power source. They could refer to different types of batteries or the components making up the battery.
Anode
An anode is part of a battery that releases electrons during the battery’s discharging.
BMS (Battery Management System)
Electric cars have a battery management system that monitors the battery’s health, status, and data. It alerts you to potential problems and protects against overcharging.
Capacitor
A capacitor is an electrical circuit module. It regulates power dips and spikes to prevent power loss or surges.
Cathode
A cathode is a component in the battery that allows the electrical current to leave the cell.
Cell
A battery cell is a component of a lithium-ion battery. It delivers energy to your electric car by charging and discharging.
Inverter
An inverter is a component in a battery that converts direct current electricity into alternating current.
Lithium-Ion Battery
A lithium-ion battery is the standard battery type in electric cars. They reliably recharge and have a high energy density.
Module
A battery module is a group of cells mounted in a frame. This protects the cells from shock, vibration, and heat.
Pack
The battery pack contains the modules, control, and protection systems.
Solid-State Battery
A solid-state battery is a type of battery. It has a greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries. It is comprised of solid electrodes and electrolytes instead of liquid.
Supercapacitor
A supercapacitor has a higher capacity than a regular capacitor. It charges faster and retains more power than lithium-ion batteries.
Three-Phase Charging
The three-phase charging process uses three cables to pull power. DC fast charging stations typically have this type of connector.
Ultium
GM branded its next generation of electric vehicle power source platform as “Ultium.”
wBMS (Wireless Battery Management System)
A wireless battery management system supports an electric car’s system, from protection to management and optimization.
EV Sustainability Terminology
Electric vehicles are more environmentally friendly than their internal combustion engine car counterparts. But what do all the sustainability and efficiency-related terms mean?
DNO (Distribution Network Operator)
A distribution network operator is the entity that is responsible for distributing electricity from the power plant to homes and businesses.
Efficiency
When talking about electric cars, efficiency is how much electricity the car uses while traveling a set distance. The less power required, the more efficient the car.
EPA Range
The EPA range is the distance a vehicle can travel before needing to recharge as per the EPA’s testing. This test is similar to how gasoline vehicles get tested for fuel efficiency.
GHG (Greenhouse Gas)
Gasoline-powered vehicles emit carbon dioxide as a part of their exhaust. Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas. Cars powered by electricity do not emit greenhouse gases.
MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent)
The miles per gallon equivalent is a measurement that tells you how far an electric vehicle can travel, equivalent to using one gallon of gasoline.
Renewable Energy
Energy sources that naturally replenish are renewable. For example, wind and solar.
Tail-Pipe Emissions
The exhaust that gets expelled from a vehicle's tailpipe is the tail-pipe emissions. You see this with gasoline and other fuel-powered vehicles.
WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure)
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure is the system used for testing a vehicle’s emission expulsion and fuel consumption.
ZEV (Zero-Emission Vehicle)
A zero-emission vehicle does not emit any pollutants from a tailpipe. Electric cars are zero emission because there are no expelled pollutants while running.
EV Maintenance Terminology
Taking care of an electric car is somewhat different from maintaining a traditional gasoline or diesel car. There is no need for oil or transmission fluid changes, tune-ups, and engine air filter replacements. There is also no need for drive belts, radiator fluid, sparkplugs, or other internal combustion engine related components that need regular inspection and repair.
At the same time, there are some EV-specific considerations that are worth understanding. So what terminology should you know with regard to EV maintenance and servicing?
At the same time, there are some EV-specific considerations that are worth understanding. So what terminology should you know with regard to EV maintenance and servicing?
Battery Degradation
The batteries in electric cars degrade over time. They lose about 2-3% of the total capacity yearly with proper care.
EPCU (Electric Power Control Unit)
The electric power control unit is the name for the components that regulate the flow of power in the electric car. It comprises the vehicle control unit, low-voltage converter, and inverter.
Tesla Terminology
Finally, there are some electric vehicles-related terms that Tesla uses regularly but may be less popular among other manufacturers:
HPWC (High Power Wall Connector)
The high-power wall connector is Tesla’s old term for the wall-mounted unit that charges electric vehicles. The updated term used is simply “wall connector.”
MC (Mobile Connector)
The mobile connector is the charging connector that comes with Teslas. It enables owners to charge their vehicles at charging stations with different outlets outside the Tesla charging stations network.
MCU (Media Control Unit 1, 2, & 3)
Tesla calls the infotainment system in its vehicles a media control unit. Depending on the generation or model, it could be a 1, 2, or 3-model unit. This large screen in the dashboard lets you control everything from the radio to navigation and vehicle health status.
PPU (Pay Per Use)
To be able to use a Tesla-branded charging station, you will need to pay. You can pay for each use or have a monthly membership.
SOC (State of Charge)
A Tesla vehicle will tell you its state of charge, which is the percentage that the battery is charged.
Supercharger (SC or SuC)
Tesla uses the term “Supercharger” to describe its fast charging station with its charging stations network.
TACC (Traffic-Aware Cruise Control)
All newer Tesla models can maintain speed or slow down based on the other traffic in the same lane. It’s meant for use on dry, straight roads, such as driving on the highway.
UMC (Universal Mobile Connector)
Older Tesla models came with the universal mobile connector allowing owners to connect to different charging station outlets. The modern term for this part is simplified to “mobile connector.”
Browse our electric car guides with this handy dictionary of electric vehicle terms to learn everything you need to know about electric vehicle buying and ownership. Also, if you think we are missing an important EV-related term, let us know at support@evercars.com!