Tired of nodding along when people throw around terms like "regenerative braking" and "kilowatt-hours"? Yeah, we understand how confusing it can get. Electric vehicles have become popular now and sometimes, the terms can sound foreign if you aren’t already familiar with them.
To help you understand the EV world, here's your cheat sheet of all the commonly used main terms and acronyms:
A Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) stands as a car that uses electricity stored in its battery pack, rather than a combustion engine (ICE). There are no tailpipe emissions which means that BEVs are the cleanest transport option on the road. A few notable examples are the Tesla Model 3 and Nissan LEAF.
The Combined Charging System (CCS) connector is a multipurpose charging accessory that works with both AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) high-speed charging. CCS combines a standard AC plug with added DC pins to achieve faster charging rates for your EV.
The Charge Circuit Interrupting Device (CCID) is an essential safety feature for users that is typically included in the charging equipment of electric vehicles. Its primary function is to shut off power when a fault is detected and helps prevent electric shocks during charging.
Also known as Level 3 Charging, DC Fast Charging is the quickest way to recharge an EV. You can use it to recharge your EV’s battery from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes. Fast charging is ideal when you have a tight schedule or frequently go on long trips.
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The kilowatt-hour (kWh) unit of energy is used to measure the capacity of an EV battery. For instance, a 75 kWh battery can roughly supply 75 kilowatts of electric power for one hour. In general, a greater kWh means that your EV can drive for a longer distance.
Level 1 charging system uses a regular 120-volt household outlet, which means it is the easiest to set up. However, this is also the slowest charging option as it can take up to 24 hours for a full charge. This is a convenient way to charge your EV overnight.
Level 2 charging system uses a 240-volt outlet, the same one you use for your hairdryer. It can fully charge your EV in about 4 to 8 hours, depending upon the total capacity so it’s the most popular charging option both at home and public charging stations.
Pro Tip: There are apps like PlugShare and ChargePoint that can help you find Level 2 charging stations near you.
Want to make the most of your EV’s battery life? Here are the mistakes to avoid.
Miles Per Gallon Equivalent (MPGe) is a standard EV jargon that’s used to measure the efficiency of an EV and how far you can drive it with an energy input equivalent to one gallon of gasoline. The higher the MPGe, the more efficient the vehicle.
Range anxiety is the concern people feel about the battery depleting too quickly and being unable to make it to the next charging station before their EV runs out of power. This was a common concern a few years back, but now, with all the latest developments in battery technology, battery capacity and charging are not a thing anymore to worry about.
Smart Charging is an intelligent way to optimize EV charging, reduce energy costs and manage the grid demands. With smart charging, you can set your EV’s charging schedules, integrate your renewable energy sources and even turn off charging during peak hours when power demand is high.
The State of Charge (SOC) feature shows you the percentage of the battery power left. This indicator works just like a fuel gauge of a gasoline car that displays how much gas is left in the tank.
The State of Health (SOH) is a measure of the general health and performance of an EV battery as compared to when it was manufactured. The higher SOH reflects a healthier battery with a longer lifespan and better efficiency.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology allows electric vehicles to connect and exchange power with the grid. This way, your electric car not only takes power from the grid but also gives "excess" power back to the grid, which in turn helps to prevent outages.
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