A Glossary of Electric Vehicle and EV Charging Terms
At Bonnet, we want to make it easier for EV drivers to charge their vehicles. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, range anxiety has been replaced by charging anxiety as the leading fear of EV drivers. Although often misplaced, the fear that drivers will not be able to find an open charge point is real, and it’s something we want to dispel.
A lot of EV drivers’ concerns are fuelled by a lack of EV charging information. So, we have put together this electric vehicle and EV charging jargon-busting guide to help you drive confidently into a clean and sustainable future.
If you’ve heard people going on about BEVs, PiVs, PHEVs, and HEVs and wondered what the hell they’re talking about, then hopefully this section will help.
Alternative fuel vehicle - Any vehicle that runs on something other than petrol or diesel, whether it’s electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or powered by some other fuel like hydrogen, is an alternative fuel vehicle.
Electric vehicle (EV) - A catch-all term that is used to describe the different types of vehicle that run on electric power, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and range-extended EVs (REx).
Plug-in vehicle (PiV) - This term describes any vehicle with a plug socket and includes battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrids.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) - This is a vehicle that runs solely on electric power provided by an onboard battery that can be charged from mains electricity at home or a dedicated charge point.
Hybrid vehicle - Any vehicle that has a petrol or diesel engine, as well as an electric motor, is a hybrid. Types of hybrid vehicles include full, mild and plug-in hybrids.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) - A PHEV refers to any vehicle that has an internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel) and a rechargeable battery. It allows for either pure electric driving or an extended range by combining electric and petrol power.
Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) - Any vehicle that has carbon dioxide emissions of less than 75g/km is categorised as a ULEV and is eligible for government grants.
Range-extended EV - This type of electric vehicle has an electric drivetrain but also a small petrol generator that charges the battery when the range is depleted so you can cover longer distances.
Full hybrid (HEV) - Full hybrids are powered by fossil fuels but also contain a small battery that is charged by the power generated when the vehicle breaks. That electric power drives the car for short periods at low speeds.
Mild hybrid (MHEV) - A mild hybrid vehicle also has a small electric motor that can assist the petrol engine. Unlike a full hybrid, a mild hybrid can drive on electric power alone.
Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) - This is an electric vehicle that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to create the electricity that powers the car.
If charging your electric vehicle is a source of anxiety, here are some of the basic terms you’re likely to encounter to give you more confidence when plugging in.
Home charging - This is when you plug in your electric vehicle when it’s parked at home, usually overnight. You can plug it into the mains but a dedicated charging point is the fastest and safest way to do it.
En-route charging - Most EV owners know their way around home charging, but it’s en-route charging, when you recharge your EV during a journey, that’s more of a lottery. High-powered, rapid chargers can add 100 miles or more to your range much more quickly than if you were charging at home.
Top-up charging - Some EV drivers choose to top up their electric vehicles using on-street chargers when they are out and about. This reduces range anxiety and makes the most of the time when the car is not in use.
Smart charging - This catch-all term refers to the different ways you can intelligently manage how your electric vehicle charges. That includes things like energy monitoring, load balancing and ‘managed charging’, which shifts your electricity use away from periods of high demand to help you save money.
Contactless payment - Some rapid charges allow EV drivers to charge their cars and pay for the session with a tap of their contactless debit or credit card, without having to download an app.
RFID cards - Most EV drivers will be familiar with RFID cards, which use contactless card technology to allow them to access, register and pay for various EV charging stations.
Bonnet - Bonnet is an app that allows EV drivers to use chargers across more than 12 charging networks without having to download all of the different apps and create multiple accounts. It also standardises pricing across those networks to give drivers more clarity. We think this is the best charging app on the market (but we’re not biased, we swear).
Kilowatt hour (kWh) - Electric car batteries are usually measured in kilowatt hours, with one kilowatt hour typically providing around three to four miles of range.
Single-phase power - This is the power provided by the standard three-pin plug sockets that you find in most people’s homes. This time of electricity supply can power a 7kW chargepoint.
Three-phase power - This type of power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase supply to allow for faster 22kW charging.
Range anxiety - Range anxiety describes the fear some EV drivers have when going on longer journeys. They worry that they will run out of power before they reach their destination or find a suitable charging point.
Charging anxiety - This is an EV driver’s worry that they won’t be able to find a charger that works properly, is compatible with their car or is available when they need it. It is one of the major stumbling blocks to EV adoption.
ICEd - Another common source of charging anxiety, ICEd occurs when a charge point is blocked by a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) and cannot be used by an EV.
There are four main types of EV charging, each with a different power output and therefore different charging speeds. Knowing your trickle chargers from your rapid chargers is important and will help to save you time.
Trickle charging - This is the slowest type of home EV charging and uses a standard three-pin plug, which provides 3kW of power. It provides up to 15 miles of range per hour and is typically used for long overnight charges at home.
Slow charging - Home EV charge points have a power rating of 3.7kW or 7kW and provide slow charging, which is faster charging than a standard three-pin socket. It is well suited to both top-up and overnight charging.
Fast charging - Public and workplace charge points typically deliver between 7kW and 22kW for fast charging, although the maximum charging speed of your vehicle may be limited by your onboard charger. Fast charging takes between two and four hours depending on your vehicle and the size of the battery.
Rapid charging - The Speedy Gonzales of EV charging, rapid charging is great for long-distance journeys and can charge an EV up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Rapid chargers are found in service stations, supermarkets and other convenient locations. Rapid charging is 43kW and above, although your charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger.
*Please note that for rapid charging, there is no industry agreed definition, so values may vary.
Will that charger connect to my car? It’s a simple question and one that EV drivers have to constantly ask, because, like phone charging cables, there is no universal connector. The type of connector you need depends on your vehicle and the power rating of the charge point.
UK three-pin socket - This is the standard UK electrical outlet that can be used for charging at home and is also found in lamp posts in residential streets. It lacks the speed and safety of a dedicated charge point, provides just eight miles of range per hour and should only really be used in an emergency.
Type 1 - This five-pin connector is commonly found on older EVs manufactured by Asian and US brands. It delivers up to 7kW and is suitable for slow and fast charging.
Type 2 - The majority of European-made EVs have a Type 2 connector. This seven-pin plug with one flat edge has become the most popular connector across all electric vehicles and can deliver up to 22kW of power for slow and fast charging.
CHAdeMO - Compatible with EVs manufactured by Asian brands, this four-pin plug is only used for rapid charging points and delivers 50kW or 100kW of power. Most rapid chargers have two cables providing both CHAdeMO and CCS connectors. You have to choose the connector that fits your EV.
Combined Charging System (CCS) - This high power connector can deliver up to 350kW of power and is the most popular form of rapid or ultra-rapid connection. CCS connectors can provide up to 525 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. That’s more than enough to get you to the shops and back.
So there, without getting too technical, is our glossary of electric vehicle and EV charging terms. If you think there is anything we have missed or you have any EV charging questions, please get in touch and we will happily answer them for you!
A Glossary of Electric Vehicle and EV Charging Terms
At Bonnet, we want to make it easier for EV drivers to charge their vehicles. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, range anxiety has been replaced by charging anxiety as the leading fear of EV drivers. Although often misplaced, the fear that drivers will not be able to find an open charge point is real, and it’s something we want to dispel.
A lot of EV drivers’ concerns are fuelled by a lack of EV charging information. So, we have put together this electric vehicle and EV charging jargon-busting guide to help you drive confidently into a clean and sustainable future.
If you’ve heard people going on about BEVs, PiVs, PHEVs, and HEVs and wondered what the hell they’re talking about, then hopefully this section will help.
Alternative fuel vehicle - Any vehicle that runs on something other than petrol or diesel, whether it’s electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or powered by some other fuel like hydrogen, is an alternative fuel vehicle.
Electric vehicle (EV) - A catch-all term that is used to describe the different types of vehicle that run on electric power, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and range-extended EVs (REx).
Plug-in vehicle (PiV) - This term describes any vehicle with a plug socket and includes battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrids.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) - This is a vehicle that runs solely on electric power provided by an onboard battery that can be charged from mains electricity at home or a dedicated charge point.
Hybrid vehicle - Any vehicle that has a petrol or diesel engine, as well as an electric motor, is a hybrid. Types of hybrid vehicles include full, mild and plug-in hybrids.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) - A PHEV refers to any vehicle that has an internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel) and a rechargeable battery. It allows for either pure electric driving or an extended range by combining electric and petrol power.
Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) - Any vehicle that has carbon dioxide emissions of less than 75g/km is categorised as a ULEV and is eligible for government grants.
Range-extended EV - This type of electric vehicle has an electric drivetrain but also a small petrol generator that charges the battery when the range is depleted so you can cover longer distances.
Full hybrid (HEV) - Full hybrids are powered by fossil fuels but also contain a small battery that is charged by the power generated when the vehicle breaks. That electric power drives the car for short periods at low speeds.
Mild hybrid (MHEV) - A mild hybrid vehicle also has a small electric motor that can assist the petrol engine. Unlike a full hybrid, a mild hybrid can drive on electric power alone.
Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) - This is an electric vehicle that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to create the electricity that powers the car.
If charging your electric vehicle is a source of anxiety, here are some of the basic terms you’re likely to encounter to give you more confidence when plugging in.
Home charging - This is when you plug in your electric vehicle when it’s parked at home, usually overnight. You can plug it into the mains but a dedicated charging point is the fastest and safest way to do it.
En-route charging - Most EV owners know their way around home charging, but it’s en-route charging, when you recharge your EV during a journey, that’s more of a lottery. High-powered, rapid chargers can add 100 miles or more to your range much more quickly than if you were charging at home.
Top-up charging - Some EV drivers choose to top up their electric vehicles using on-street chargers when they are out and about. This reduces range anxiety and makes the most of the time when the car is not in use.
Smart charging - This catch-all term refers to the different ways you can intelligently manage how your electric vehicle charges. That includes things like energy monitoring, load balancing and ‘managed charging’, which shifts your electricity use away from periods of high demand to help you save money.
Contactless payment - Some rapid charges allow EV drivers to charge their cars and pay for the session with a tap of their contactless debit or credit card, without having to download an app.
RFID cards - Most EV drivers will be familiar with RFID cards, which use contactless card technology to allow them to access, register and pay for various EV charging stations.
Bonnet - Bonnet is an app that allows EV drivers to use chargers across more than 12 charging networks without having to download all of the different apps and create multiple accounts. It also standardises pricing across those networks to give drivers more clarity. We think this is the best charging app on the market (but we’re not biased, we swear).
Kilowatt hour (kWh) - Electric car batteries are usually measured in kilowatt hours, with one kilowatt hour typically providing around three to four miles of range.
Single-phase power - This is the power provided by the standard three-pin plug sockets that you find in most people’s homes. This time of electricity supply can power a 7kW chargepoint.
Three-phase power - This type of power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase supply to allow for faster 22kW charging.
Range anxiety - Range anxiety describes the fear some EV drivers have when going on longer journeys. They worry that they will run out of power before they reach their destination or find a suitable charging point.
Charging anxiety - This is an EV driver’s worry that they won’t be able to find a charger that works properly, is compatible with their car or is available when they need it. It is one of the major stumbling blocks to EV adoption.
ICEd - Another common source of charging anxiety, ICEd occurs when a charge point is blocked by a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) and cannot be used by an EV.
There are four main types of EV charging, each with a different power output and therefore different charging speeds. Knowing your trickle chargers from your rapid chargers is important and will help to save you time.
Trickle charging - This is the slowest type of home EV charging and uses a standard three-pin plug, which provides 3kW of power. It provides up to 15 miles of range per hour and is typically used for long overnight charges at home.
Slow charging - Home EV charge points have a power rating of 3.7kW or 7kW and provide slow charging, which is faster charging than a standard three-pin socket. It is well suited to both top-up and overnight charging.
Fast charging - Public and workplace charge points typically deliver between 7kW and 22kW for fast charging, although the maximum charging speed of your vehicle may be limited by your onboard charger. Fast charging takes between two and four hours depending on your vehicle and the size of the battery.
Rapid charging - The Speedy Gonzales of EV charging, rapid charging is great for long-distance journeys and can charge an EV up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Rapid chargers are found in service stations, supermarkets and other convenient locations. Rapid charging is 43kW and above, although your charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger.
*Please note that for rapid charging, there is no industry agreed definition, so values may vary.
Will that charger connect to my car? It’s a simple question and one that EV drivers have to constantly ask, because, like phone charging cables, there is no universal connector. The type of connector you need depends on your vehicle and the power rating of the charge point.
UK three-pin socket - This is the standard UK electrical outlet that can be used for charging at home and is also found in lamp posts in residential streets. It lacks the speed and safety of a dedicated charge point, provides just eight miles of range per hour and should only really be used in an emergency.
Type 1 - This five-pin connector is commonly found on older EVs manufactured by Asian and US brands. It delivers up to 7kW and is suitable for slow and fast charging.
Type 2 - The majority of European-made EVs have a Type 2 connector. This seven-pin plug with one flat edge has become the most popular connector across all electric vehicles and can deliver up to 22kW of power for slow and fast charging.
CHAdeMO - Compatible with EVs manufactured by Asian brands, this four-pin plug is only used for rapid charging points and delivers 50kW or 100kW of power. Most rapid chargers have two cables providing both CHAdeMO and CCS connectors. You have to choose the connector that fits your EV.
Combined Charging System (CCS) - This high power connector can deliver up to 350kW of power and is the most popular form of rapid or ultra-rapid connection. CCS connectors can provide up to 525 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. That’s more than enough to get you to the shops and back.
So there, without getting too technical, is our glossary of electric vehicle and EV charging terms. If you think there is anything we have missed or you have any EV charging questions, please get in touch and we will happily answer them for you!
A Glossary of Electric Vehicle and EV Charging Terms
At Bonnet, we want to make it easier for EV drivers to charge their vehicles. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, range anxiety has been replaced by charging anxiety as the leading fear of EV drivers. Although often misplaced, the fear that drivers will not be able to find an open charge point is real, and it’s something we want to dispel.
A lot of EV drivers’ concerns are fuelled by a lack of EV charging information. So, we have put together this electric vehicle and EV charging jargon-busting guide to help you drive confidently into a clean and sustainable future.
If you’ve heard people going on about BEVs, PiVs, PHEVs, and HEVs and wondered what the hell they’re talking about, then hopefully this section will help.
Alternative fuel vehicle - Any vehicle that runs on something other than petrol or diesel, whether it’s electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or powered by some other fuel like hydrogen, is an alternative fuel vehicle.
Electric vehicle (EV) - A catch-all term that is used to describe the different types of vehicle that run on electric power, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and range-extended EVs (REx).
Plug-in vehicle (PiV) - This term describes any vehicle with a plug socket and includes battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrids.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) - This is a vehicle that runs solely on electric power provided by an onboard battery that can be charged from mains electricity at home or a dedicated charge point.
Hybrid vehicle - Any vehicle that has a petrol or diesel engine, as well as an electric motor, is a hybrid. Types of hybrid vehicles include full, mild and plug-in hybrids.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) - A PHEV refers to any vehicle that has an internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel) and a rechargeable battery. It allows for either pure electric driving or an extended range by combining electric and petrol power.
Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) - Any vehicle that has carbon dioxide emissions of less than 75g/km is categorised as a ULEV and is eligible for government grants.
Range-extended EV - This type of electric vehicle has an electric drivetrain but also a small petrol generator that charges the battery when the range is depleted so you can cover longer distances.
Full hybrid (HEV) - Full hybrids are powered by fossil fuels but also contain a small battery that is charged by the power generated when the vehicle breaks. That electric power drives the car for short periods at low speeds.
Mild hybrid (MHEV) - A mild hybrid vehicle also has a small electric motor that can assist the petrol engine. Unlike a full hybrid, a mild hybrid can drive on electric power alone.
Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) - This is an electric vehicle that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to create the electricity that powers the car.
If charging your electric vehicle is a source of anxiety, here are some of the basic terms you’re likely to encounter to give you more confidence when plugging in.
Home charging - This is when you plug in your electric vehicle when it’s parked at home, usually overnight. You can plug it into the mains but a dedicated charging point is the fastest and safest way to do it.
En-route charging - Most EV owners know their way around home charging, but it’s en-route charging, when you recharge your EV during a journey, that’s more of a lottery. High-powered, rapid chargers can add 100 miles or more to your range much more quickly than if you were charging at home.
Top-up charging - Some EV drivers choose to top up their electric vehicles using on-street chargers when they are out and about. This reduces range anxiety and makes the most of the time when the car is not in use.
Smart charging - This catch-all term refers to the different ways you can intelligently manage how your electric vehicle charges. That includes things like energy monitoring, load balancing and ‘managed charging’, which shifts your electricity use away from periods of high demand to help you save money.
Contactless payment - Some rapid charges allow EV drivers to charge their cars and pay for the session with a tap of their contactless debit or credit card, without having to download an app.
RFID cards - Most EV drivers will be familiar with RFID cards, which use contactless card technology to allow them to access, register and pay for various EV charging stations.
Bonnet - Bonnet is an app that allows EV drivers to use chargers across more than 12 charging networks without having to download all of the different apps and create multiple accounts. It also standardises pricing across those networks to give drivers more clarity. We think this is the best charging app on the market (but we’re not biased, we swear).
Kilowatt hour (kWh) - Electric car batteries are usually measured in kilowatt hours, with one kilowatt hour typically providing around three to four miles of range.
Single-phase power - This is the power provided by the standard three-pin plug sockets that you find in most people’s homes. This time of electricity supply can power a 7kW chargepoint.
Three-phase power - This type of power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase supply to allow for faster 22kW charging.
Range anxiety - Range anxiety describes the fear some EV drivers have when going on longer journeys. They worry that they will run out of power before they reach their destination or find a suitable charging point.
Charging anxiety - This is an EV driver’s worry that they won’t be able to find a charger that works properly, is compatible with their car or is available when they need it. It is one of the major stumbling blocks to EV adoption.
ICEd - Another common source of charging anxiety, ICEd occurs when a charge point is blocked by a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) and cannot be used by an EV.
There are four main types of EV charging, each with a different power output and therefore different charging speeds. Knowing your trickle chargers from your rapid chargers is important and will help to save you time.
Trickle charging - This is the slowest type of home EV charging and uses a standard three-pin plug, which provides 3kW of power. It provides up to 15 miles of range per hour and is typically used for long overnight charges at home.
Slow charging - Home EV charge points have a power rating of 3.7kW or 7kW and provide slow charging, which is faster charging than a standard three-pin socket. It is well suited to both top-up and overnight charging.
Fast charging - Public and workplace charge points typically deliver between 7kW and 22kW for fast charging, although the maximum charging speed of your vehicle may be limited by your onboard charger. Fast charging takes between two and four hours depending on your vehicle and the size of the battery.
Rapid charging - The Speedy Gonzales of EV charging, rapid charging is great for long-distance journeys and can charge an EV up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Rapid chargers are found in service stations, supermarkets and other convenient locations. Rapid charging is 43kW and above, although your charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger.
*Please note that for rapid charging, there is no industry agreed definition, so values may vary.
Will that charger connect to my car? It’s a simple question and one that EV drivers have to constantly ask, because, like phone charging cables, there is no universal connector. The type of connector you need depends on your vehicle and the power rating of the charge point.
UK three-pin socket - This is the standard UK electrical outlet that can be used for charging at home and is also found in lamp posts in residential streets. It lacks the speed and safety of a dedicated charge point, provides just eight miles of range per hour and should only really be used in an emergency.
Type 1 - This five-pin connector is commonly found on older EVs manufactured by Asian and US brands. It delivers up to 7kW and is suitable for slow and fast charging.
Type 2 - The majority of European-made EVs have a Type 2 connector. This seven-pin plug with one flat edge has become the most popular connector across all electric vehicles and can deliver up to 22kW of power for slow and fast charging.
CHAdeMO - Compatible with EVs manufactured by Asian brands, this four-pin plug is only used for rapid charging points and delivers 50kW or 100kW of power. Most rapid chargers have two cables providing both CHAdeMO and CCS connectors. You have to choose the connector that fits your EV.
Combined Charging System (CCS) - This high power connector can deliver up to 350kW of power and is the most popular form of rapid or ultra-rapid connection. CCS connectors can provide up to 525 miles of range per 30 minutes of charging. That’s more than enough to get you to the shops and back.
So there, without getting too technical, is our glossary of electric vehicle and EV charging terms. If you think there is anything we have missed or you have any EV charging questions, please get in touch and we will happily answer them for you!
