The type of electrical current used in most home outlets. EVs can use AC for charging, typically at slower rates compared to DC.
DC (Direct Current)
The type of electrical current used for fast charging. DC charging allows for much faster charging speeds compared to AC.
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
The entire setup used for EV charging, including the charging station, connectors, and cables.
Level 1 Charging
The slowest charging option, using a standard 120V home outlet. Typically provides 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 2 Charging
Faster charging using a 240V outlet (similar to a dryer outlet). It provides around 10-20 miles of range per hour of charging.
Level 3 Charging (DC Fast Charging)
High-speed charging using DC power. It can charge an EV to 80% in 30 minutes or less, depending on the vehicle and charger.
CHAdeMO
A fast-charging standard used by some EVs, typically found in Japanese models. It’s a type of Level 3 DC fast charger.
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A fast-charging standard used by many American and European EVs. It’s another type of Level 3 DC fast charger.
NACS (North American Charging Standard)
NACS is a charging connector standard developed by Tesla for DC fast charging, combining power and communication in one connector. It is gaining widespread adoption across North America for fast and efficient EV charging.
IEC 61851
A standard that defines the requirements for EV charging systems, including safety, communication, and power delivery methods. It covers AC and DC charging modes.
SAE J1772
A standard for electric vehicle connectors used in North America, defining the electrical and physical characteristics of connectors for AC charging, typically for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
GB/T 20234
A set of standards for EV charging in China, outlining requirements for connectors, communication, and safety for both AC and DC charging systems.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle )
A vehicle that can run on both electricity and gasoline. It can be plugged in to recharge its battery, but it also has an internal combustion engine.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle )
A fully electric vehicle that runs entirely on electricity and has no internal combustion engine.
EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle)
A type of plug-in hybrid vehicle that primarily operates on electric power but is equipped with a small internal combustion engine (ICE) that acts as a generator to extend the vehicle's driving range once the battery is depleted.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric motor and a battery. The electric motor assists the engine, improving fuel efficiency, but the vehicle cannot be plugged in for charging.
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)
A widely used communication protocol for EV charging stations and central management systems. It enables interoperability between different manufacturers' chargers and backend systems.
SOC (State of Charge)
The current charge level of an EV's battery, typically shown as a percentage (e.g., 80% SOC means the battery is 80% charged).
V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid)
A system that allows an EV to send electricity back to the grid, potentially helping with energy storage and supply.
Onboard Charger
The component in the EV that converts AC power from the charging station to DC power to charge the vehicle's battery.
VDA 6.3 (Verband der Automobilindustrie6.3)
VDA 6.3 is a quality management standard developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) for assessing process audits in the automotive sector. It provides guidelines for evaluating and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of production processes.
EN
