EV Glossary

The type of electricity that flows back and forth, changing direction many times per second. This is what comes out of your wall socket at home.

The type of electricity that flows back and forth, changing direction many times per second. This is what comes out of your wall socket at home.

Electricity that flows in one direction only, like from a battery. Your EV's battery stores DC power.

Electricity that flows in one direction only, like from a battery. Your EV's battery stores DC power.

A unit of power that tells you how fast electricity is flowing. Think of it as the "speed" of charging.

A unit of power that tells you how fast electricity is flowing. Think of it as the "speed" of charging.

The slowest way to charge an EV — plugging into a standard 240V wall socket at home.

The slowest way to charge an EV — plugging into a standard 240V wall socket at home.

A dedicated home or workplace charger that delivers 7-22 kW of AC power. This is the most common setup for daily EV charging.

A dedicated home or workplace charger that delivers 7-22 kW of AC power. This is the most common setup for daily EV charging.

High-power public chargers that deliver 50-350 kW of DC power directly to your battery. Think of these as EV "petrol stations".

High-power public chargers that deliver 50-350 kW of DC power directly to your battery. Think of these as EV "petrol stations".

How full your battery is, expressed as a percentage. 100% is fully charged, 0% is empty.

How full your battery is, expressed as a percentage. 100% is fully charged, 0% is empty.

The built-in device inside your car that converts AC power from the wall into DC power for the battery.

The built-in device inside your car that converts AC power from the wall into DC power for the battery.

Tesla's connector design, now becoming the standard in North America. Slimmer and more user-friendly than other plugs.

Tesla's connector design, now becoming the standard in North America. Slimmer and more user-friendly than other plugs.

The most common fast-charging connector in Europe and North America. Looks like a standard plug with two extra pins below it.

The most common fast-charging connector in Europe and North America. Looks like a standard plug with two extra pins below it.

A DC fast-charging standard developed in Japan and used by Nissan and some Asian manufacturers.

A DC fast-charging standard developed in Japan and used by Nissan and some Asian manufacturers.

The Chinese national standard for EV charging connectors. Used by virtually all EVs sold in China.

The Chinese national standard for EV charging connectors. Used by virtually all EVs sold in China.

The standard AC charging connector across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

The standard AC charging connector across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

A universal language that allows chargers and software systems to talk to each other, regardless of manufacturer.

A universal language that allows chargers and software systems to talk to each other, regardless of manufacturer.

Technology that lets your EV send electricity back to the power grid or your home when it is needed.

Technology that lets your EV send electricity back to the power grid or your home when it is needed.

A smart feature that adjusts your charger's power draw so you do not overload your home's electrical supply.

A smart feature that adjusts your charger's power draw so you do not overload your home's electrical supply.

A feature that starts charging automatically when you plug in — no apps, cards, or tapping required.

A feature that starts charging automatically when you plug in — no apps, cards, or tapping required.

Software updates delivered to your charger wirelessly, just like your phone gets iOS or Android updates.

Software updates delivered to your charger wirelessly, just like your phone gets iOS or Android updates.

A unit of energy that measures how much electricity a battery can hold or how much you have used. Think of it like litres of fuel.

A unit of energy that measures how much electricity a battery can hold or how much you have used. Think of it like litres of fuel.

How much electricity an EV uses to travel 100 kilometres. The EV equivalent of "litres per 100 km".

How much electricity an EV uses to travel 100 kilometres. The EV equivalent of "litres per 100 km".

The air resistance your car pushes through as it moves. The faster you go, the more energy it takes to overcome.

The air resistance your car pushes through as it moves. The faster you go, the more energy it takes to overcome.

The friction between your tyres and the road. More friction means the motor has to work harder.

The friction between your tyres and the road. More friction means the motor has to work harder.

A system that recaptures energy when you slow down or brake, sending it back to recharge the battery.

A system that recaptures energy when you slow down or brake, sending it back to recharge the battery.

Very hot or very cold weather reduces your EV's driving range because the battery works less efficiently.

Very hot or very cold weather reduces your EV's driving range because the battery works less efficiently.

Charging at home is usually much cheaper than using public fast chargers.

Charging at home is usually much cheaper than using public fast chargers.

EVs are significantly cheaper to "fuel" than petrol or diesel cars.

EVs are significantly cheaper to "fuel" than petrol or diesel cars.

A car with both a petrol engine and a small battery that can be plugged in to charge.

A car with both a petrol engine and a small battery that can be plugged in to charge.

A car that runs entirely on electricity stored in a battery. No petrol engine at all.

A car that runs entirely on electricity stored in a battery. No petrol engine at all.