Car & Automotive Terms Glossary

Definition: An electric current that periodically reverses direction, commonly used in residential and commercial power supplies.

 

 

Examples: Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers supply AC power to the vehicle’s onboard charger.

Definition: A device that stores electrical energy for use in powering an electric motor or other electrical components.

 

 

 

Examples: Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and electric scooters such as the Ather 450X.

Definition: The total amount of electrical energy a battery can store, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

 

 

Examples: A 75 kWh battery in a Tesla Model 3 enables longer range than a 40 kWh battery in a Nissan Leaf.

Definition: The specific materials and chemical composition used in a battery affect its performance, lifespan, and safety.

 

 

 

Examples: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) are common battery chemistries in EVs.

Definition: The gradual loss of a battery’s capacity and performance over time due to usage and aging.

 

 

 

Examples: An EV battery may degrade to 90% of its original capacity after several years of use.

Definition: Systems designed to maintain the battery at optimal operating temperatures to ensure performance and longevity.

 

 

 

Examples: Tesla’s liquid-cooled thermal management helps reduce overheating and cold weather range loss.

 Definition: Charging systems that allow energy to flow both into and out of the vehicle’s battery, enabling vehicle-to-grid applications.

 

 

Examples: An EV supplying power back to the grid during peak demand periods.

Definition: A graph that represents the rate at which an electric vehicle’s battery charges over time, typically showing a decrease in charging speed as the battery approaches full capacity.

 

 

Examples: An EV may charge rapidly up to 80% capacity, after which the charging rate slows down to protect battery health.

Definition: The ability for EV drivers to access multiple charging networks through a single account or payment method, enhancing convenience.

 

 

 

Examples: Services like PlugShare allow users to find and access various charging stations across different networks.

Definition: A method of charging electric vehicles using direct current at high power levels, significantly reducing charging time.

 

 

Examples: Public charging stations offering 50 kW or higher power output for rapid EV charging.

Definition: The percentage of a battery’s capacity that has been used relative to its total capacity.

 

 

Examples: Using 70% of a battery before recharging equates to a 70% DoD.

Definition: The capability of an electric vehicle to accept both AC and DC charging inputs.

 

 

Examples: An EV that can be charged at home using AC power or at public DC fast-charging stations.

Definition: An electric vehicle that includes a small gasoline engine used to generate electricity to extend the driving range when the battery is depleted.

 

 

Examples: BMW i3 REx.

Definition: Charging at higher power levels (typically 7–22 kW), reducing charging time compared to slow charging.

 

 

Examples: Level 2 charging using a 240V outlet, common in homes and public stations

Definition: The reduction in charging speed as the battery nears full capacity, implemented to protect battery health.

 

 

Examples: A charger reducing power output from 150 kW to 50 kW as the battery reaches 80% charge.

Definition: A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts, representing the rate at which energy is used or produced.

 

 

 

Examples: An electric motorcycle motor rated at 10 kW produces 10,000 watts of power.

Definition: A unit of energy representing one kilowatt of power used for one hour. It measures energy consumption over time.

 

 

Examples: Charging an electric vehicle with a 60 kWh battery from empty to full consumes 60 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Definition: The process of preparing an electric vehicle’s cabin temperature and battery state before driving, often while still connected to a charger, to optimize comfort and efficiency.

 

 

 

Examples: Using a mobile app to warm up the EV’s interior on a cold day before departure.

Definition: The maximum distance a vehicle can travel on a full tank of fuel or a fully charged battery.

 

 

Examples: A Tesla Model 3 Long Range has an estimated range of over 350 miles per charge.

Definition: A braking system in electric vehicles that recovers kinetic energy during braking and converts it into electrical energy to recharge the battery.

 

 

 

Examples: Nissan Leaf uses regenerative braking to improve efficiency.

Definition: An AC power system with a single alternating voltage, commonly used in residential settings.

 

 

Examples: Typical household outlets providing 120V or 240V single-phase power for Level 1 or Level 2 charging.

Definition: The current level of charge in a battery, expressed as a percentage of its total capacity.

 

 

 

Examples: A vehicle with an 80% SoC on a 100 kWh battery has 80 kWh available.

Definition: An AC power system with three alternating voltages, used in commercial and industrial settings for higher power delivery.

 

 

 

Examples: Public charging stations utilizing three-phase power to provide faster Level 2 or DC fast charging.

Definition: Charging the battery partially to maintain a higher state of charge, rather than waiting for it to deplete significantly.

 

 

Examples: Plugging in the EV during short stops to add 20–30 miles of range.

Definition: Very slow charging, often at power levels below 3 kW, typically used for maintaining battery charge over extended periods.

 

 

 

Examples: Charging an EV overnight using a standard 120V household outlet.

Definition: Very high-power DC charging (typically above 100 kW), offering extremely fast charging times.

 

 

 

Examples: Tesla Superchargers and other high-capacity chargers delivering up to 350 kW, adding substantial range in 15–20 minutes.

Definition: A system where EVs can return stored energy to the electrical grid, aiding in grid stability and energy management.

 

 

 

Examples: Fleet vehicles discharging power to the grid during high-demand periods and recharging during low-demand periods.

Definition: A unit of measurement for the force of energy required to move one ampere between two points of a conducting wire.

 

 

 

Examples: Higher voltage charging stations push more electrical current through a circuit, which helps boost charging speed.

Definition: A device that changes the voltage level of electrical power, often used in EVs to step down high-voltage battery power for use by lower-voltage systems.

 

 

 

Examples: Converting 400V battery output to 12V for accessories.