If you’re new to electric vehicles (EVs), there’s a lot of new terminologies to learn. This can be especially true when it comes to charging your vehicle. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of common EV charging terms and their definitions.
Amperage: The measure of the flow of electrons in a circuit. In layman’s terms, this is how much “juice” is flowing through the charger.
Battery Capacity: The amount of energy that a battery can store. This is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Battery State of Charge (SOC): The percentage of charge remaining in the battery.
Charger: A device that converts AC (alternating current) from the grid into DC (direct current) to charge an EV battery.
Charging Port: The connection point on an EV where the charger is plugged in.
Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE): A device that provides power to charge an EV. This term is typically used in reference to Level 1 and Level 2 chargers (see below).
Grid: The power grid, or electric grid, is the network that delivers electricity to homes and businesses.
Level 1 Charger: A Level 1 charger uses a standard 120-volt outlet to charge an EV. Level 1 chargers are the slowest way to charge an EV, but they are typically the most affordable and can be used with any standard outlet.
Level 2 Charger: A Level 2 charger uses a 240-volt outlet (similar to what’s used for clothes dryers and stoves) to charge an EV. Level 2 chargers are faster than Level 1 chargers and are typically used in homes and businesses.
Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV): A vehicle that can be plugged into the grid to charge its battery. EVs are a type of PEV.
Range: The distance an EV can travel on a single charge.
These are just a few of the most common terms you’ll need to know when charging your EV. By understanding these terms, you’ll be able to better understand the charging process and make sure your EV
-EVSE: Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
When it comes to electric vehicles, one of the most important pieces of equipment is the EVSE, or electric vehicle supply equipment. This is the device that actually supplies power to the vehicle, and it can be either public or private.
Public EVSEs are usually found in parking lots or other public areas, and they allow anyone with an electric vehicle to charge up. Private EVSEs are usually found in homes or businesses, and they may only be accessible to people who have permission to use them.
There are a few different types of EVSEs, but the most common is the Level 2 EVSE. This type of EVSE can supply up to 240 volts of power, and it can charge an electric vehicle in about 4-6 hours. Level 2 EVSEs are becoming more common as more people switch to electric vehicles.
If you’re thinking about switching to an electric vehicle, it’s important to make sure you have access to a Level 2 EVSE. This will ensure that you can charge your vehicle quickly and easily, without having to worry about finding a public charger.
-Amp: Ampere
An amp, or ampere, is a unit of measurement that measures the flow of electric current. Current is measured in amperes, and one ampere is equal to a flow of electrons at a rate of one coulomb per second. The amp is the SI unit of electric current.
-Volt: Volt
If you’re new to EVs, there’s a lot of new terminology to learn. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common EV charging terms you need to know.
Amp: A unit of measure for electrical current flow.
Charging port: The port on an EV where the charging cable is plugged in.
Charging station: A public or private facility where EVs can be plugged in to recharge.
Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE): The equipment that provides power to an EV charging station.
Level 1 charging: A 120-volt AC charger that can be plugged into a standard household outlet. Level 1 charging is the slowest but most convenient way to charge an EV.
Level 2 charging: A 240-volt AC charger that requires a dedicated circuit. Level 2 charging is faster than Level 1 charging, but takes longer than DC fast charging.
Level 3 charging: A high-powered DC charger that can charge an EV in a matter of minutes. Level 3 charging is the fastest way to charge an EV, but is less common than Level 2 charging.
Plug-in hybrid: A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that can be plugged in to recharge the battery.
Range: The maximum distance an EV can travel on a single charge.
-kW: Kilowatt
The kW kilowatt is a unit of measurement for power. In the electrical world, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, so the kW measures the rate at which work is done. The SI unit of power is the watt (W), and 1 kilowatt (kW) is equal to 1,000 watts (W). The kilowatt is a unit of measurement that is often used to express the power output of engines and the power consumption of appliances.
The kW is also a unit of measurement for electric car charging stations. Electric car charging stations are rated by the maximum power output they can provide. The higher the power output, the faster the car can charge. For example, a Level 2 charging station with a power output of 7 kW can charge an electric car much faster than a Level 1 charging station with a power output of only 2 kW.
If you’re looking for a fast electric car charging station, you’ll want one with a higher kW rating. But if you’re looking for an electric car charging station that you can use at home, a lower kW rating may be just fine.
-kWh: Kilowatt-hour
The kWh, short for kilowatt-hour, is a unit of energy used to measure electrical consumption over time. One kWh is equal to one thousand watts of power used for one hour. Electrical utilities use kWh to calculate your monthly energy bills.
The kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy equivalent to one thousand watts of power used for one hour. The unit is often used to measure electricity usage by residential and commercial customers.
Utilities in the United States typically charge customers by the kilowatt-hour. In other words, customers are billed for each unit of electricity they use. The kWh rate charged by utilities varies depending on the state and the type of customer.
For example, residential customers in California pay an average of $0.20 per kWh, while commercial customers pay an average of $0.15 per kWh.
The kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy, so it can be used to measure the consumption of any energy source, not just electricity. For example, natural gas is often measured in therms, or units of heat energy. One therm is equal to 29.3 kWh.
The kWh is a unit of energy, not power. Power is the rate of energy consumption, measured in watts. One watt is equal to one joule of energy per second. One kWh is equal to 3,600,000 joules, or one thousand watts used for one hour.
The kWh is a unit of energy, not time. The unit is often used to measure electricity consumption because electricity is billed by the kWh. However, the kWh can be used to measure the consumption of any energy source.
The kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy, not power. Power is the rate of energy consumption, measured in watts. One watt is equal to one joule of energy per second. One kWh is equal to 3,600,000 joules, or one thousand watts used for one hour.
The kWh is a unit of energy, not time. The unit is often used to measure electricity consumption because electricity is billed by the kWh. However, the kWh can be used to measure the
-L1, L2, L3: Level 1, 2, and 3 Charging
There are three different types of electric vehicle (EV) charging: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Here’s a quick guide to each level, so you can choose the right charger for your needs.
Level 1: Also known as 120-volt charging, Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. Level 1 charging is the slowest type of EV charging, and it’s typically used as a top-off charge for EVs that are driven short distances.
Level 2: Level 2 charging uses a 240-volt outlet, like the ones used for electric dryers and stoves. Level 2 charging is faster than Level 1 charging, and it’s the most common type of EV charger. Most home EV chargers are Level 2 chargers.
Level 3: Also known as DC fast charging, Level 3 charging uses a high-voltage direct current (DC) power source to charge an EV battery very quickly. Level 3 chargers are usually only found at public charging stations, and they’re not typically used for home charging.
-J1772: SAE J1772 is a standard for connecting EVSE and EVs
The SAE J1772 standard, also known as the J1772 connector, is a North American standard for connecting EVs and EVSEs. It was developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is the de facto standard in the United States and Canada. The J1772 connector is a Level 1 or Level 2 AC charger, with a maximum charge rate of 7.2 kW.
The J1772 standard defines both the physical connector and the communication protocol between the EV and the EVSE. The connector is a locking, weatherproofed, and standardized connector that can be used with any EV that is compatible with the standard. The communication protocol allows the EVSE to control the charging process and communicate with the EV to provide information such as the charging status and the estimated time to full charge.
The J1772 standard is widely used in the United States and Canada, and is the default standard for new EVSEs. Many EVSE manufacturers offer J1772-compatible EVSEs, and most new EVs sold in North America are compatible with the standard.
-NEMA: National Electrical Manufacturers Association
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is a trade association that represents the interests of electroindustry companies in the United States. NEMA’s members produce products used in the generation, transmission, distribution, control, and end-use of electricity.
NEMA was founded in 1926 and its headquarters are in Rosslyn, Virginia. The association has over 400 member companies, and its membership includes manufacturers of electrical equipment, components, and systems; distributors and repairers of electrical products; utilities; and other organizations involved in the electroindustry.
NEMA’s members produce a wide range of products, including electrical wire and cable, switches, circuit breakers, transformers, motors, generators, lighting fixtures, lighting controls, and other electrical equipment.
NEMA’s standards and publications promote safety, interoperability, and efficiency in the electroindustry. The association also advocates for policies that support the growth of the electroindustry.
NEMA’s website provides information on the association’s activities, publications, and membership.
-CHAd
The term “CHAdeMO” is an abbreviation of “Charge de Move”, which is a Japanese work for “rapid charge”. CHAdeMO is a quick charging standard for electric vehicles, and is the most widely used standard in the world. In order to use a CHAdeMO charger, your vehicle must be equipped with a CHAdeMO inlet.
There are two types of CHAdeMO chargers: AC and DC. AC CHAdeMO chargers are slower than DC CHAdeMO chargers, but they can be used with any type of EV. DC CHAdeMO chargers are much faster, but they can only be used with EVs that have a DC inlet.
The CHAdeMO standard is managed by the CHAdeMO Association, which is made up of EV manufacturers, charging equipment manufacturers, and utility companies.
The CHAdeMO standard is not without its critics. Some argue that it is not as safe as other quick charging standards, and that it is not compatible with the charging infrastructure in the United States.