The EV Industry Dictionary is a comprehensive print and online reference with 4,100+ terms, 700+ acronyms, and 200+ images covering EV batteries, charging, connectivity, business, manufacturing, and regulations, curated by over 100 experts and continually updated online.

Popular EV Industry Definitions

AC Charging – Alternating-current charging that supplies lower-power EV energy and is commonly used for residential and workplace installations.
Battery Management System (BMS) – The onboard system that monitors, protects, and optimizes EV battery performance to maximize lifespan and safety.
Battery Pack – A modular assembly of lithium-ion cells that stores electrical energy and drives EV propulsion and auxiliary systems.
Battery Swapping – A business model where depleted EV batteries are quickly exchanged for fully charged ones to reduce charging downtime.
Bidirectional Charging – Technology enabling EVs to both draw and deliver power, supporting V2G, V2H, and grid services revenue streams.
CCS (Combined Charging System) – A global DC fast-charging standard used by most EV manufacturers in North America and Europe.
Charging Curve – The power delivery rate throughout a charging session, which affects charging time and station utilization economics.
Charging Management Platform – Software that controls access, pricing, load balancing, reporting, and monetization for EV charging networks.
Charging Network Operator (CNO) – A company that manages EV station connectivity, billing, maintenance, and customer services.
Charging Session – A single EV charging event where energy delivered and duration determine customer cost and station revenue.
Charger Utilization Rate – The percentage of time a charger is actively used, directly impacting revenue and ROI.
DC Fast Charging (DCFC) – Direct-current high-power charging that rapidly replenishes EV batteries for commercial, fleet, and highway use.
Demand Charges – Utility fees based on peak electricity usage that can significantly increase EV charger operating costs.
Demand Response – Programs that adjust EV charging power levels based on grid needs, often rewarding site hosts financially.
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) – Local energy assets like solar, storage, and EVs that interact with the grid to reduce costs and improve resilience.
Energy Management System (EMS) – Software that optimizes electricity consumption for EV chargers to reduce utility costs and avoid peak loads.
Energy Storage System (ESS) – Battery systems used to reduce demand peaks, store cheap off-peak energy, and improve EV-charger economics.
EV Charging Station – Infrastructure that supplies power to EVs and can be monetized by property owners or networks.
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) – The hardware that delivers electrical power safely from the grid to an EV.
Fleet Electrification – Transition of commercial vehicle fleets to electric power to reduce operating costs and emissions.
Grid Capacity – The available electrical power at a site, which determines how many chargers can be installed without costly upgrades.
Home Charging – Residential charging solutions that offer convenience and lower-cost electricity for EV drivers.
Idle Fees – Penalties charged to drivers who leave cars plugged in after charging completes, improving turnover and revenue.
Interoperability – The ability of EV chargers, networks, and software platforms to communicate and operate across brands.
Interval Metering – Utility meters that track electricity use in time blocks, enabling advanced billing and TOU rate optimization.
kWh (Kilowatt-Hour) – The standard measurement of EV energy use and the common billing unit for EV charging.
kW (Kilowatt) – A measure of charging power output that determines charging speed and electrical capacity requirements.
Level 1 Charging – Slow EV charging using a standard household outlet, primarily for overnight residential use.
Level 2 Charging – Medium-speed AC charging widely used in apartments, workplaces, and public locations.
Load Balancing – Intelligent power distribution that allows multiple chargers to share limited electrical capacity efficiently.
Managed Charging – Software-controlled charging that optimizes cost, scheduling, grid impact, and charger availability.
Microgrid – A localized energy network that can integrate solar, storage, and EV charging for resilience and cost savings.
NACS (North American Charging Standard) – Tesla’s open charging standard that is rapidly becoming the dominant connector in North America.
NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program) – A U.S. federal program providing billions in funding for public fast-charging corridors.
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) – An open communications protocol that enables charger–network interoperability and vendor flexibility.
Off-Peak Charging – Charging during low-demand utility periods to reduce operating expenses and improve grid efficiency.
Onboard Charger (OBC) – The internal EV hardware that converts AC power to DC for battery charging.
Peak Shaving – Using energy storage or load management to reduce electrical peaks and avoid high demand charges.
Plug-and-Charge – An automated charging and billing technology that simplifies authentication and improves user experience.
Power Distribution Panel – Electrical infrastructure that delivers power to multiple EV chargers at a property.
Power Sharing – Technology that allows multiple chargers to dynamically divide available electrical capacity to support more vehicles.
Public Charging – EV chargers available to public users, often generating higher utilization and revenue than private chargers.
Rate Plan (TOU) – Time-of-use electricity pricing that affects the economics of EV charging operations.
Renewable Integration – Pairing EV charging with solar or wind to reduce operating costs and emissions.
Roaming Agreements – Partnerships that allow EV drivers to access multiple charging networks with a single account.
Site Host – A property owner or operator that provides space, power, and sometimes capital for EV charging stations.
Smart Charging – Intelligent charging that enables data-driven optimization of energy use, cost, and grid impact.
State of Charge (SOC) – The percentage of battery energy remaining that dictates charging needs and user behavior.
Thermal Management System – The cooling and heating system that ensures safe and efficient battery operation.
V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) – Technology enabling EVs to provide stored energy back to the grid for revenue or grid support.