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Please find a list of terms associated with the world of Electric Vehicle Charging.
EV - Electric Vehicle
Cable - used to connect your charger to your vehicle
Tethered - a charger that has a charging cable permanently attached
Untethered - a charger that doesn't have a charging cable permanently attached
Socket - another name for an Untethered charger or the name of the part of the charger where the cable plugs in to
Plug or Connectors - the name for the ends of the charging cable that go in to the charger and your vehicle
Connector Types - different plugs and sockets used to connect the vehicle to the charger. Common types include Type 2 (for AC charging), CCS (Combined Charging System - for DC rapid charging), and CHAdeMO (also for DC rapid charging). See FAQ for more information
Kilowatt (kW) - a unit used to measure the rate of energy transfer or charging speed
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) - a unit of energy that represents the amount of energy used over time. It's commonly used to measure the amount of energy transferred during charging and determines the cost of charging
Single Phase - generally most home chargers will be classed as single phase, using a homes standard electricity supply (and mains board) and operating around 7 kWh
Three Phase - simply put, three phase charging at around 22 kWh is the fastest electric car charging speed that is realistically possible at a residential property. However most homes will not be able to supply this - see FAQ
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) - this refers to the charging equipment used to supply electric energy to an electric vehicle for charging its battery. It encompasses charging cables, connectors, and the charging station itself
Charging Station/Point - a physical location where an electric vehicle can be connected to a power supply to recharge its battery. It can be in various settings like public spaces, workplaces, or residential areas.
Rapid Charger - a type of charger that provides high power and faster charging rates, typically found in public areas, such as Tesla charging stations. Rapid chargers can charge an EV to 80% in a shorter time compared to other chargers
Fast Charger - these chargers offer moderate to high power charging and are faster than standard domestic sockets. They're commonly found in public places and can charge an EV in a few hours
Slow Charger - charging units that provide lower power and are usually used for home charging. They take longer to charge an EV but are convenient for overnight charging
Level 1 Charger - uses a standard home plug socket to charge and can take up to 24 hours to charge your electric vehicle
Level 2 Charger - uses a 240-volt outlet direct from your homes electric mains board and can charge an electric vehicle in 4-8 hours
AC Charging (Alternating Current) - (single phase) a method of charging that uses an alternating current to charge the EV's battery. It's commonly associated with slower charging speeds and typically used in homes
DC Charging (Direct Current) - (three phase) a faster charging method using direct current, commonly used in rapid chargers. It allows for quicker charging rates compared to AC charging
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - a vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system, allowing it to be recharged by plugging it into an electric power source
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) - an electric vehicle that operates solely on battery power, without a combustion engine, and is recharged by plugging it into an electric power source
