Electric car terms and jargon explained

Summary:

• One of the challenges you'll likely face when trying to make sense of the electric car world is all the confusing acronyms and jargon surrounding them. At Neev, we're passionate about breaking down barriers in the way of you finding your perfect EV (That's Electric Vehicle!) That's why we've put together the EV cheat sheet to help you learn your PHEVs from your ICEs and become an EV pro!

Battery pack
The battery is what powers the electric motors inside your electric vehicle. Electric vehicles commonly use lithium-ion (or Li-ion) batteries. These batteries have a high energy capacity and hold their charge well when not in use.

Lithium-ion battery
A common type of rechargeable battery used in electric vehicles that are essentially larger-scale versions of the ones you'd find inside your mobile phone or laptop. They have a higher energy capacity than typical lead-acid or nickel-cadmium rechargeable batteries and are more likely to hold their charge when not in use.

AC
AC stands for Alternating current and is the most common charging method for electric vehicles. Alternating current simply means that the voltage switches between being positive and negative. When you use an AC charging station, the AC power is converted into Direct Current (DC) power by the car and moves into the battery.

DC
DC is short for Direct Current and means that the electric current flows in one direction. Charging stations commonly supply Alternating Current (AC) power and this is then converted into DC through a rectifier inside your electric vehicle. DC charging stations are also available and can handle more power, meaning that charging is faster. .

Type 1 & Type 2
Just like how you would choose the right type of fuel at a petrol station for your car, the same applies when choosing the right type of charging cable for your electric vehicle. Every electric vehicle will have a Type 1 or a Type 2 connection. Type 1 (five-pin plug) connectors are not very common in Europe and are mainly used in Asian countries, so you won't find many Type 1 charging stations in the UK. Type 2 (seven-pin plug) connectors are much more common in electric vehicles. .

Charging speed
This refers to the time it takes for your electric vehicle's battery to charge completely from empty to full. The bigger the battery and the slower the charging point is that you use, the longer it will take to do a full charge. Thankfully, you can top-up charge your electric vehicle regularly rather than having to wait until the battery is empty for a full charge. .

kWh
kWh is short for Kilowatts per hour, a measurement of electrical energy that's used to express the battery capacity of your electric vehicle. A larger battery will support high power over a longer period. .

Horsepower
Horsepower is a unit of measurement that refers to the power output of the engine or motor in a vehicle. Electric vehicle motor outputs can also be measured in Kilowatts (kW). .

Electric driving range
An electric vehicle's driving range means the distance it can travel on a single full charge of its battery. This range is measured under standardised testing procedures to provide an accurate representation of the outcome you could expect in daily life when using your electric vehicle. The latest test protocol being used is called WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure). The range of your electric vehicle will mainly depend on the capacity of its battery - essentially how much electricity it can hold. This is expressed in Kilowatt-hours (kWh).

RPH
RPH stands for Range Per Hour and refers to the miles of range per hour that a charging station can deliver. This measurement is an estimate you can use to work out roughly how far you'll be able to travel after charging your electric vehicle.

ICE
ICE is short for Internal Combustion Engine. This is the type of engine that's found in petrol and diesel cars. These engines burn fossil fuels which contribute to pollution and global warming, unlike battery-powered electric vehicles. .

BEV
Vehicles that don't have an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) are known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). These types of electric vehicles are 100% driven by an electric motor that's powered by a battery. 100% electric vehicles are more energy-efficient, smooth running and quieter to drive. They're also nice and quick because they can deliver their full power immediately.

HEV
A hybrid vehicle (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) has both an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), and an electric motor powered by a battery. Once the electric battery range has been used, the hybrid technology switches to the conventional engine. There are two types of hybrid vehicles: rechargeable plug-in hybrids (PHEV) with a battery that needs to be charged up at a charging station, and non-rechargeable hybrids with a battery that's charged by the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).

PHEV
Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) have both an electric motor and an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). The battery in a plug-in hybrid vehicle gives a zero-emissions range when it's in pure electric mode. The PHEV battery needs to be charged up at a charging station.