The growing wave of electric vehicle adoption brings with it a new range of terminology to become familiar with. In this article, we simplify some of the most commonly used abbreviations and phrases related to EV charging and explain their meanings.

1. kW or kWh?It is easy to get kilowatt and kilowatt-hours confused as both are connected units of measurement. The important difference between kW and kWh is what they measure. A kW measures power i.e. it represents the rate at which your vehicle is charging, whereas a kWh measures energy, indicating the maximum capacity of your EVs battery, and in turn, how much range your electric car has. Think of kWh like the size of a fuel tank.

2. What is AC Charging?The majority of private EV charging setups utilise AC chargers, with "AC" standing for "Alternative Current." Although all power utilised for EV charging is in AC format, it must be converted to DC before being usable by a vehicle. In AC EV charging, the car handles the conversion of AC power to DC. That’s why it tends to have longer charging times and tends to be more cost-effective.

Type 2 plugs: In Europe, the official standards approved by the European Commission is a Type 2 plug for AC charging. Type 2 plugs can be single-phase or triple-phase plugs, featuring three additional wires to facilitate faster charging. At home, they can provide charging power rates of up to 7.4 kW, while public charging stations may offer rates up to 22 kW, based on both your car's charging capabilities and the grid's capacity.

3-pin plug: Some electric cars also come with a cable – sometimes referred to as a ‘granny cable’, that is designed for a domestic plug socket. This method is fine if you’re staying overnight with friends who don’t have a dedicated EV charger, but we’d recommend using a dedicated Wallbox charger and keeping this one in the car as a back-up.

3. What is DC Charging?DC, or direct current, is the type of charging found at fast chargers and is primarily available at public charging stations. There are two types of plugs when it comes to DC charging, CHAdeMO and CCS.

CHAdeMO: Developed in Japan, this rapid charging system enables very high charging capacities and supports bidirectional charging, allowing for charging speeds up to 100 kW.

CCS: The CCS plug is an upgraded iteration of the Type 2 plug, featuring two additional power contacts to facilitate rapid charging. It supports both AC and DC charging, offering speeds of up to 350 kW.

4. What is Bidirectional Charging?Bidirectional EV charging is precisely as it sounds: charging that operates in two directions. Unlike unidirectional (one-way) EV chargers, where electricity flows solely from the electric grid into the electric vehicle, bidirectional (two-way) EV chargers allow electricity to flow in both directions. This means your car can send energy to various recipients, but the most common current applications involve returning energy to the grid or sending it to your home, business, appliances or another vehicle.

5. Single Phase ElectricityThis form of electricity, commonly found in most homes, is characterised by the delivery of electricity through a single live conductor. Electric Vehicles often charge from AC connectors in this manner, typically offering either 3.7 kW or 7.4 kW of power through a standard charging point.

6. Three Phase ElectricityOften found in larger commercial premises and all ESB public charge points, three phase electricity involves the delivery of electricity through three live conductors at the same time and can provide higher power to vehicles equipped for three-phase charging. They can charge from three-phase electricity at power levels ranging from 11 kW to 22 kW, depending on the car's internal electronics.

7. Smart ChargingSmart charging for electric vehicles optimises the timing and rate of charging based on factors like grid demand, energy prices, and user preferences. It aims to minimise grid impact, maximise renewable energy use, and reduce charging costs. Using advanced communication technologies, it allows for efficient and flexible charging, including off-peak charging and load balancing.

Now that you're familiar with some of the key terms in EV charging, we trust that it will facilitate your transition into e-mobility and deepen your understanding of EV technology. Interested in exploring further charging options? Feel free to check out our EV charger reviews here.