- Electric Vehicle (EV): A vehicle that operates entirely on electric power, relying on batteries or other energy storage systems to power an electric motor.
- EV Charging Station: A designated location equipped with charging infrastructure where EVs can connect to recharge their batteries.
- Level 1 Charging: The slowest form of EV charging, typically using a standard household outlet (120 volts) to charge the vehicle. Best suited for overnight charging.
- Level 2 Charging: A faster form of EV charging, using a 240-volt power source. Common in public spaces and homes, providing higher charging rates than Level 1.
- DC Fast Charging (DCFC) / Level 3 Charging: The fastest form of EV charging, using direct current (DC) to rapidly charge the vehicle's battery. Commonly installed along highways for long-distance travel.
- Charge Point / Charging Port: The physical connector on an EV where the charging cable plugs in to recharge the vehicle.
- Charging Cable: The cable used to connect the EV to the charging station. Different EV models may require specific types of charging cables.
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh): A unit of measurement for electricity consumption, used to determine the amount of energy consumed during charging.
- Charging Rate / Charging Speed: The speed at which the EV's battery recharges, usually measured in kilowatts (kW) or miles of range per hour.
- Charging Network / Charging Service Provider: A company or organization that operates and maintains a network of charging stations, providing charging services to EV users.
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A type of hybrid vehicle that can be charged from an external power source and has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
- Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV): An EV that relies solely on electric power from its battery and does not have a backup internal combustion engine.
- Charging Session: The duration during which an EV is connected to a charging station and actively charging its battery.
- EV Parking Space / Charging Space: A designated parking spot equipped with an EV charging station to allow for charging while parked.
- RFID Card / Mobile App: Methods used by EV drivers to initiate and pay for charging sessions at public charging stations, using radio-frequency identification or mobile applications.
- Charging Etiquette: The practice of being considerate of other EV drivers by not occupying charging stations longer than necessary and moving the vehicle once charging is complete.
- Demand Response: A mechanism where EV charging can be managed or scheduled during peak electricity demand to balance grid loads and reduce stress on the power system.
- Charging Infrastructure: The network of charging stations and associated equipment that enables EV charging at various locations.
- Site Owner / Site Host / Location Host: The entity, natural or legal person, that owns or operates the location where charge points are installed, such as retail chains, restaurants, business centers, parking operators, municipalities, etc.
- EV Driver: A person who is driving an EV (electric vehicle) and is using charging services at home, at work, and in various public or private places.
- Charge Point Operator (CPO): An entity that installs, manages, and ensures optimal operations of chargers/stations from one or more manufacturers. They offer diagnostics, maintenance, pricing, and other value-added services for smooth network operation.
- Charge Point Installer (CPI): Charge point installers usually sell, commission, and maintain charger points for location owners (charge point hosts). They may also offer EV charging software solutions to customers.
- Electro-mobility Service Provider (eMSP): eMSPs offer EV charging services to EV drivers, providing access to a large pool of charging points around a geographic area. They offer charger location information, payment capabilities, and more.
- Roaming Network Operator (RNO): The RNO operates a platform to exchange charging data between CPOs and eMSPs, enabling EV roaming and access to charging stations from different providers.
- Electric Vehicle Service Provider (EVSP): The EVSP provides network charging stations connectivity, managing backend software, databases, and communications for stations' operations.
- Electric Vehicle Fleet Operator: The EV fleet operator is responsible for the management and control of EV vehicle fleet charging, ensuring maximum availability and utilization of vehicles.
- OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer / Automobile Manufacturer: The manufacturer and seller of vehicles, vehicle parts, and related services, often used for EV manufacturers.
- Electricity Supplier: The entity sourcing energy in wholesale and selling it to end and large customers.
- Distribution Network Operator (DNO): A company licensed to distribute electricity, owning and operating the system of cables and towers that bring electricity to residential homes and businesses.
- Private Charging: Privately owned charging stations not accessible to the public, such as home charging, multi-dwelling buildings, business premises, and other private parking areas.
- Public Charging: Charging infrastructure in public spaces accessible to everyone, such as public streets, highways, and squares.
- Semi-public Charging: Charging offered in privately-owned publicly accessible facilities, such as shopping malls, supermarkets, city and commercial parking lots.
- Smart Charging: The ability to manage, monitor, and restrict EV charging to optimize energy based on local consumption demand, load balancing, and energy monitoring.
- Smart Energy Management: A solution that optimizes the charging infrastructure and energy resources, managing energy consumption, providing optimal demand response, and ensuring efficient EV charging.
- ISO 15118: An international standard outlining the digital communication protocol between EV charging stations and central management systems.
- Plug & Charge (ISO 15118): A technology allowing automatic authentication and billing without the need for an RFID card or mobile app. The EV communicates with the charging station using a digital certificate.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): A technology enabling bidirectional energy flow between an EV's battery and the charging station, allowing energy to be sent back to the grid or to a building for optimal energy management.
- Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP): An application protocol for communication between EV charging stations and central management systems, even when produced by different vendors.
- Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI): A protocol for exchanging information about charge points between CPOs and eMSPs, enabling scalable EV roaming.
- Open Smart Charging Protocol (OCSP): A protocol for communication between a charge point management system and the site owner's energy management system.
- Charging Management System (LMS): Software controlling the charging process in an EV.
- Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV): A car with official tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions of less than 75g/km, eligible for grants and benefits from the government.
- State of Charge (SOC): The equivalent of a fuel gauge for the battery pack in an EV, indicating the percentage of charge remaining.
- Battery Management System (BMS): A system in an EV that monitors the battery and ensures its optimal performance.
- Charging Management System (LMS): A system controlling the charging process in an EV.
