The Ultimate EV Glossary: Understanding Electric Car Terms
About Electric Vehicles
10 min read
Last updated 16th Jul 2025
Summary
In this electric car dictionary, we’ll review some essential EV jargon relating to EV types, charging connectors, and other concepts to give you a better understanding of how EVs work and how to find the vehicle that’s right for you.
Types of Electric Vehicles
The first key distinction to understand is the categories of electric vehicles in terms of their design and the role their battery plays in making the vehicle work.
Here’s a look at the four types of electric vehicles and the mechanical features that distinguish them from one another.
| Term | Definition |
| BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) | A fully electric car powered solely by a rechargeable battery, with no internal combustion engine. BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions and must be charged using a home or public EV charger to run. |
| PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) | A vehicle that combines a petrol or diesel engine with a rechargeable battery and an electric motor. Unlike conventional hybrids, PHEVs can be charged externally and have a limited electric-only range before switching to its internal combustion engine (ICE). |
| HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) | A vehicle with both an internal combustion engine and a small battery that is charged through regenerative braking and engine power, rather than being plugged in like other EVs. HEVs can run on electric power alone for short distances, but rely primarily on the engine to move. |
| MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) | A car with a small battery and electric motor that can assist the engine, but can’t drive the car independently. MHEVs improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, but can’t run on electric power alone. |
EV Charging Connector Types
Different EVs will be compatible with different charging connector types, and different EV connector types are capable of delivering different charging efficiencies. Here’s an overview of the main connector types you’ll encounter as an EV driver in the UK.
| Connector Type | Usage | Compatiblity |
| Type 1 | A single-phase AC charging connector commonly used in older EVs and some imports from North America and Asia. It supports charging speeds of up to 7.4 kW but is gradually being phased out in the UK and continental Europe. | Most UK charge points now favour Type 2 connectors, meaning owners of Type 1 EVs may require an adapter. |
| Type 2 | The standard AC charging connector in the UK and continental Europe. Type 2 supports both single-phase (up to 7.4 kW) and three-phase (up to 22 kW) charging, making it compatible with home chargers, workplace charging stations, and public AC chargers. | Almost all modern EVs in the UK use Type 2 for AC charging, including Tesla models (which previously used their own unique proprietary connector). |
| CHAdeMO | A DC fast-charging connector primarily used by older Nissan models (such as the Nissan Leaf) and some Mitsubishi and Lexus EVs. It allows rapid charging up to 50 kW and supports bidirectional charging, enabling selling energy back to the grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. | CHAdeMO is rare in the UK and becoming less common over time, with most new EVs adopting CCS instead. |
| CCS (Combined Charging System) | The most widely used DC fast-charging connector in the UK and continental Europe. CCS combines a Type 2 AC connector with two additional DC pins, allowing both AC and high-speed DC charging. | Supports rapid charging from 50 kW up to 350 kW, making it the preferred choice for most new EVs. |
| Tesla Supercharger | Tesla’s proprietary DC fast-charging network, originally designed exclusively for Tesla vehicles. UK Tesla Superchargers now use the CCS connector, making them compatible with most non-Tesla EVs at select locations. | Today, Tesla Superchargers in the UK offer the same compatibility as CSS connector types. They’re best used for ultra-rapid charging, ideal for quick top ups mid-journey. |
| Connector Type | Type 1 |
| Usage | A single-phase AC charging connector commonly used in older EVs and some imports from North America and Asia. It supports charging speeds of up to 7.4 kW but is gradually being phased out in the UK and continental Europe. |
| Compatiblity | Most UK charge points now favour Type 2 connectors, meaning owners of Type 1 EVs may require an adapter. |
| Connector Type | Type 2 |
| Usage | The standard AC charging connector in the UK and continental Europe. Type 2 supports both single-phase (up to 7.4 kW) and three-phase (up to 22 kW) charging, making it compatible with home chargers, workplace charging stations, and public AC chargers. |
| Compatiblity | Almost all modern EVs in the UK use Type 2 for AC charging, including Tesla models (which previously used their own unique proprietary connector). |
| Connector Type | CHAdeMO |
| Usage | A DC fast-charging connector primarily used by older Nissan models (such as the Nissan Leaf) and some Mitsubishi and Lexus EVs. It allows rapid charging up to 50 kW and supports bidirectional charging, enabling selling energy back to the grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. |
| Compatiblity | CHAdeMO is rare in the UK and becoming less common over time, with most new EVs adopting CCS instead. |
| Connector Type | CCS (Combined Charging System) |
| Usage | The most widely used DC fast-charging connector in the UK and continental Europe. CCS combines a Type 2 AC connector with two additional DC pins, allowing both AC and high-speed DC charging. |
| Compatiblity | Supports rapid charging from 50 kW up to 350 kW, making it the preferred choice for most new EVs. |
| Connector Type | Tesla Supercharger |
| Usage | Tesla’s proprietary DC fast-charging network, originally designed exclusively for Tesla vehicles. UK Tesla Superchargers now use the CCS connector, making them compatible with most non-Tesla EVs at select locations. |
| Compatiblity | Today, Tesla Superchargers in the UK offer the same compatibility as CSS connector types. They’re best used for ultra-rapid charging, ideal for quick top ups mid-journey. |
Key Concepts in EV Terminology
Understanding electric vehicle types and EV charging connectors will be a big help when you’re searching for electric vehicles and trying to understand what sets them apart. However, there are also some key EV concepts relating to the process of charging and driving an EV that it’s important to learn when finding a vehicle that’s right for you.
Here are some examples of miscellaneous EV terminology you should understand as you explore the electric vehicle market.
| Concept | Definition |
| Regenerative Braking | A system that recovers energy typically lost during braking and converts it into electricity to recharge the battery. A regenerative braking system increases the vehicle’s efficiency and extends its driving range, making them more energy-efficient than cars without this system. |
| Kilowatt-hour (kWh) | A unit of energy measurement used to describe battery capacity and energy consumption. An EV battery with a higher kWh rating will offer a higher potential driving range from a full charge, provided the battery hasn’t undergone too much degradation. |
| Charging Curve | The rate at which an EV charges over time, which typically decreases as the battery fills up. Most EVs charge fastest when the battery is at a low state of charge and slow down significantly beyond 80% in order to prevent overheating and battery degradation. |
| State of Charge (SoC) | The current charge level of an EV’s battery, expressed as a percentage (e.g., 50% SoC means the battery is half full). Many manufacturers recommend maintaining an SoC between 20% and 80% to maximise battery longevity. |
| WLTP Range | The official range of an EV as tested under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). This test cycle provides a more realistic estimate of real-world driving range compared to older testing methods. However, the car’s actual range may still vary depending on factors such as weather, driving behaviours, and road conditions. |
Types of EV Charging
There’s also a number of EV terms referring to different types of charging that it’s important to understand as you explore the EV market for the first time. Here’s a table showing the four types of EV charging from slowest to fastest, with data on the kinds of charging experience you can expect and when best to use each charging type.
| Charging Type | Speed | Typical Time | Best Used For |
| Trickle Charging (3-pin plug) | ~2.3 kW (AC) | 24+ hours for a full charge. | Emergency use or occasional home charging when no dedicated charge point is available. Not recommended for regular use. |
| Fast Charging (7-22kW) | 7 kW (home), up to 22 kW (public AC) | 6-10 hours (7 kW), 3-5 hours (22 kW) for a full charge. | Everyday home charging, workplace charging, or public AC charging. Ideal for overnight charging. |
| Rapid Charging (50-100kW) | 50-100 kW (DC) | 20-80% charge in 30-45 minutes. | Quick top-ups on long journeys, typically found at motorway services and public rapid charging hubs. |
| Ultra-Rapid Charging (100-350kW) | 100-350 kW (DC) | 20-80% charge in 15-20 minutes. | Fast recharging on long-distance trips, best suited for EVs that support high-power charging. Found at premium public charging hubs and Tesla Superchargers. |
| Charging Type | Trickle Charging (3-pin plug) |
| Speed | ~2.3 kW (AC) |
| Typical Time | 24+ hours for a full charge. |
| Best Used For | Emergency use or occasional home charging when no dedicated charge point is available. Not recommended for regular use. |
| Charging Type | Fast Charging (7-22kW) |
| Speed | 7 kW (home), up to 22 kW (public AC) |
| Typical Time | 6-10 hours (7 kW), 3-5 hours (22 kW) for a full charge. |
| Best Used For | Everyday home charging, workplace charging, or public AC charging. Ideal for overnight charging. |
| Charging Type | Rapid Charging (50-100kW) |
| Speed | 50-100 kW (DC) |
| Typical Time | 20-80% charge in 30-45 minutes. |
| Best Used For | Quick top-ups on long journeys, typically found at motorway services and public rapid charging hubs. |
| Charging Type | Ultra-Rapid Charging (100-350kW) |
| Speed | 100-350 kW (DC) |
| Typical Time | 20-80% charge in 15-20 minutes. |
| Best Used For | Fast recharging on long-distance trips, best suited for EVs that support high-power charging. Found at premium public charging hubs and Tesla Superchargers. |
Find the Right Electric Car at Dick Lovett
Learning new concepts around EV ownership can make finding your next vehicle a challenge, and you may have many more questions about EV jargon and what it means for you as a driver.
At Dick Lovett, our friendly and knowledgeable EV experts will be happy to discuss your unique needs and how different electric cars can meet them, ensuring you drive away in an EV that’s right for you.
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