Welcome to the PlugStream EV Charging Glossary.
This A–Z guide explains the most common terms you’ll encounter when installing, using, or learning about electric vehicle charging.
A
Adapter
A device that allows one connector type to fit another. In EV charging, adapters can convert Type 1 ↔ Type 2 connectors. ⚠️ Adapters are not generally recommended as quality and safety vary, and they may void warranties.
Alternating Current (AC)
An electrical current that changes direction periodically. Most homes and workplaces use AC, which EVs convert into DC to charge their batteries.
AC Charging
Charging an EV using AC power. Usually slower than DC charging, but widely available in residential and workplace settings.
Amps (A)
A unit of electrical current. Higher amperage generally means faster charging, provided the EV and charger support it.
B
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
A vehicle powered solely by electricity stored in batteries, with no petrol or diesel engine.
Bi-Directional Charging
A system that allows electricity to flow both ways: into the EV for charging, and back out to the grid, a building, or devices.
C
CHAdeMO
A Japanese DC fast-charging standard, used by vehicles like the Nissan Leaf. Being phased out in many regions in favour of CCS.
Charge Point
A single charging interface (socket or tethered cable) where one EV can connect.
Charge Point Installer (CPI)
A professional certified to install EV charging equipment.
Charge Point Operator (CPO)
An organisation responsible for managing, maintaining, and billing for public EV chargers.
Charging Curve
How charging speed changes during a session. Typically fast at low battery levels, then tapering off as the battery approaches full.
Charging Rate
The speed of charging, usually measured in kilowatts (kW).
Charging Station
A location where EVs can recharge, ranging from a single home unit to large public hubs with multiple charge points.
Combined Charging System (CCS)
A charging standard that supports both AC and DC charging through the same port. Widely used across Europe and North America.
Connector
The plug that physically connects the charger to the vehicle.
D
Direct Current (DC)
An electrical current that flows in one direction. EV batteries use DC, so DC charging bypasses the vehicle’s onboard AC–DC converter for faster charging.
DC Fast Charging (DCFC)
A high-power charging method that delivers DC electricity directly to the battery, enabling rapid recharging.
E
Electric Vehicle (EV)
Any vehicle powered fully or partly by electricity. Includes BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs.
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
The hardware that delivers electrical energy from the grid to an EV.
EV Roaming
The ability for drivers to use chargers from different networks through a single subscription or payment method.
eMobility
The broader ecosystem of electric transport, including vehicles, charging infrastructure, and related digital services.
F
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
An EV powered by hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity onboard without combustion.
G
Grid
The network of power lines, substations, and infrastructure that delivers electricity from producers to consumers.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Gases such as carbon dioxide that trap heat in the atmosphere. EVs typically reduce GHG emissions compared to petrol or diesel vehicles.
H
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
A vehicle with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Cannot be charged externally.
Home Charging
Charging an EV at home using a domestic outlet or a dedicated wallbox. Convenient but slower than public DC fast charging.
High-Power Charging (HPC)
A form of DC fast charging that uses very high power levels (often 100 kW–350 kW) to charge EVs in minutes.
I
ISO 15118
An international standard that defines communication between EVs and chargers, enabling features like Plug & Charge.
J
J1772 Connector
A standard AC charging connector used mainly in North America. Also known as Type 1.
K
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of power. In EVs, it describes the charging rate (e.g. a 7 kW charger) or motor output.
Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt of power used for one hour. Battery capacity is measured in kWh.
L
Level 1 (L1) Charging
Charging from a 120 V household outlet (North America). Adds 3–5 miles of range per hour.
Level 2 (L2) Charging
Uses a 240 V supply (North America) or single/three-phase AC (Europe). Adds 12–80 miles of range per hour.
Level 3 (L3) Charging
Also called DC Fast Charging. Uses high-voltage DC to deliver 50–350 kW, adding 60–200 miles of range in 20–30 minutes.
Lithium-Ion Battery
The most common type of rechargeable battery in EVs, valued for its high energy density and long cycle life.
Load Shifting
Shifting energy use from peak to off-peak times to reduce costs and balance grid demand.
M
Miles per Kilowatt-Hour (mi/kWh)
A measure of EV efficiency: how many miles a vehicle can travel per unit of electricity.
N
North American Charging Standard (NACS)
Tesla’s charging connector design, now being adopted by multiple automakers across North America.
O
Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP)
An open communication standard allowing chargers and central systems from different vendors to work together.
Off-Peak Charging
Charging during periods of low electricity demand (usually at night), when rates may be cheaper.
P
Peak Shaving
Reducing electricity usage during peak demand times to cut costs and reduce strain on the grid.
Plug & Charge
A feature enabled by ISO 15118 where the EV and charger authenticate automatically when connected, with no extra steps for the driver.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
A hybrid with both an engine and a battery that can be charged externally.
Plug-In Vehicle (PiV)
Any vehicle that can be recharged from an external electricity source, including BEVs and PHEVs.
Private Charging
EV chargers installed for private use, such as at homes or businesses.
Public Charging
Chargers available to the general public, usually operated by a CPO.
Q
Quick Charging
Another term for DC Fast Charging.
R
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)
Wireless technology used for authentication, such as tapping a card to start charging.
Range
The distance an EV can travel on a single charge.
Range Anxiety
The worry that an EV might not have enough charge to reach its destination.
Range per Hour (RPH)
How many miles of range are added per hour of charging.
Regenerative Braking
A system that recovers energy during braking and feeds it back into the battery.
Renewable Energy
Energy from natural sources like solar or wind, often used to make EV charging more sustainable.
S
Semi-Public Charging
Chargers in restricted areas such as office parks or apartment complexes, accessible only to authorised users.
Smart Charging
Intelligent control of charging sessions — for example, charging when electricity is cheapest or greenest.
State of Charge (SoC)
The percentage of battery charge remaining, similar to a fuel gauge.
T
Tesla Supercharger
Tesla’s global network of high-speed DC chargers, now being opened to other manufacturers in some regions.
U
Ultra-Fast Charging
Very high-power DC charging (typically above 100 kW) that significantly reduces charging times.
V
Volts (V)
A unit of electric potential. In EVs, voltage influences how fast power can flow to the battery.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)
The ability of an EV to send power back to other systems. Includes:
- V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid): Power back to the grid.
- V2H (Vehicle-to-Home): Power a home.
- V2B (Vehicle-to-Building): Power a commercial building.
- V2L (Vehicle-to-Load): Power external devices (e.g. camping equipment).
W
Watts (W)
The unit of power in the International System of Units. 1 kW = 1000 W.
Z
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV)
A vehicle that produces no exhaust emissions during operation. BEVs and FCEVs are zero-emission vehicles.