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Definitions

  • AEV – stands for an all-electric vehicle. It runs on only electricity from either a battery or fuel cell.

  • BEV – stands for battery electric vehicle. A BEV is a PEV that only uses a battery and an electric motor. Some examples are the Nissan LEAF, Chevy Bolt, and Tesla model vehicles.

  • CHadeMo Plug – stands for "CHArge de MOve" and is an electrical connector for DC fast-charging electric vehicles.  It is a circular two-part plug that provides a high-power charging connection between the EV and the charging station. It can provide up to 62.5 kW of power to an EV.  It is widely used in Japan, Europe, and the United States and is one of the most widely adopted EV fast-charging standards.

  • CSS Plug – stands for Combined Charging System plug, is an electrical connector used for DC fast charging of electric vehicles (EVs). It is a two-part plug with a combined design that combines the DC fast-charging and AC charging pins into a single connector. It can supply up to 350 kW of power to an EV. The CSS plug is gaining popularity in Europe and North America and is expected to become one of the dominant fast-charging standards for EVs.

  • EV – stands for electric vehicle. It is a term for a vehicle that gets some or all of its power from an electric motor.

  • EVSE – stands for electric vehicle supply equipment. These are stations that provide power to charge PEVs or PHEVs.

  • FCEV – stands for fuel cell electric vehicle. An FCEV is an AEV powered by a fuel cell rather than a battery.

  • HEV – stands for a hybrid electric vehicle. These vehicles do not plug in but have a large battery charged by the vehicle braking. This energy assists the ICE in moving the car, which improves gas mileage.

  • ICE – stands for internal combustion engine. Traditional gas and diesel cars use an ICE to convert fuel into power.

  • J1772 Plug – is a standard electrical connector for charging electric vehicles (EVs). A five-pin plug provides a safe and reliable connection between the EV and the charging station. The J1772 plug is compatible with most electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in North America, and it can charge at level 1 (120-volt AC) and level 2 (240-volt AC) charging. As a result, the J1772 plug is the most widely used EV charging connector in North America and has become the industry's de facto standard.

  • MPGe – MPGe is an abbreviation for "Miles Per Gallon Equivalent," and it is a metric used to compare the energy efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to that of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. MPGe is calculated by determining how far an electric or hybrid vehicle can travel on the same amount of energy as one gallon of gasoline. Manufacturers frequently use the MPGe rating to help consumers compare the fuel efficiency of electric and gasoline-powered vehicles.

  • PEV – stands for a plug-in electric vehicle. An electric vehicle plugs into an external power source to charge a battery, such as an outlet or charging station.

  • PHEV – stands for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Use an ICE and an electric motor with a battery that plugs into an external source.

  • Tesla Plug – is a proprietary electrical connector used exclusively for Tesla electric vehicles. It is a two-part plug with a unique design that integrates the charging pins with the plug handle, making it simple to use and store. The Tesla plug can charge a Tesla EV at up to 250 kW speeds. However, the Tesla plug is only compatible with Tesla electric vehicles and cannot be used with other EVs.