EV Charging Terminology

2G is a legacy mobile network generation sometimes used by older connected devices and chargers. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

3G is a third-generation mobile network technology that was historically used by some EV charge points and cellular modems for backend communication. In the UK it should now be treated as a retired legacy technology, with major operators having switched off or decommissioned 3G service and new deployments expected to use 4G, 5G or fixed connectivity.

4G is a mobile network generation commonly used for EV charger cellular data connectivity. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

5G is a newer mobile network generation offering higher potential capacity and lower latency than previous mobile technologies. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

6 mA DC leakage detection identifies residual direct current at a level that may affect the operation of upstream RCDs. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

AC charging supplies alternating current to the vehicle, with conversion to DC handled by the vehicle's on-board charger. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Access control determines who can use a charger and under what conditions, using tools such as RFID, apps, Plug & Charge or backend permissions. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Accessibility describes how usable EV charging equipment and its surrounding environment are for people with different physical, sensory or cognitive needs. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

Active Load Management (ALM) is a load control approach that monitors available electrical capacity and actively adjusts EV charging demand in response to changing site conditions. It may use live measurements, control rules or backend commands to reduce, increase or redistribute charger output.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets requirements for public alternative fuels infrastructure, including EV charging access, consumer information, payment and infrastructure deployment. For UK audiences, it should be read with both the EU AFIR framework and the UK Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulations that still influence public charging terminology.

App control allows users or installers to control, configure or monitor charging through a mobile application. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Autocharge allows a charger or backend platform to recognise a vehicle automatically, usually through vehicle-side communication identifiers, so a charging session can begin without the user presenting an RFID card, opening an app or scanning a code.

Backend refers to the software platform or server-side system that manages charger communication, user access, transactions and reporting. Often used as an accessible term alternative to CPMS. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Backend support means a charger can connect to a management platform for monitoring, control, data reporting or commercial operation. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Bidirectional charging allows energy to flow both into and out of an EV battery through compatible charging equipment. It is normally assessed alongside vehicle compatibility, export permissions, grid connection requirements and the supported communication standards.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used for local charger setup, commissioning or user control. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

BS 7671 is the UK national standard for electrical installations, covering the design, erection, inspection, testing and verification of low-voltage electrical systems. Section 722 contains specific requirements for supplies to electric vehicles.

Built-in overcurrent protection means the charger includes internal protection against excessive current under specified conditions. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Cable length is the usable length of a tethered charging cable or supplied charging lead. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

CB Certification refers to the IECEE CB Scheme, an international system for recognising electrical product safety test reports and certificates between participating certification bodies. A CB certificate is normally supported by a CB test report against relevant IEC standards.

CCS1 is a Combined Charging System connector variant used mainly in North America for DC fast charging. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

CCS2 is the Combined Charging System connector variant commonly used in the UK and Europe for DC rapid and ultra-rapid charging. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

A CE Declaration is a declaration that a product meets the applicable EU requirements for placing that product on the EU market. In many cases, this declaration can be issued by the manufacturer themselves, depending on the applicable legislation and conformity assessment route.

A cellular modem connects a charger to mobile data networks such as 4G or 5G. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging connector system used by some older EVs and certain vehicle models. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

A Charge Point Management System is software used to monitor, control, configure and manage EV charging infrastructure. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

A Charge Point Operator (CPO) is the organisation responsible for operating one or more EV charge points. Under UK public charging regulation, the CPO is the charge point owner or the person operating it on the owner's behalf. Depending on the commercial arrangement, the CPO may manage availability, maintenance, pricing, payments, roaming, data, customer support and backend operation directly or through contracted service providers.

Charging mode describes the method by which an electric vehicle is connected to an electrical supply for charging. It covers whether charging is AC or DC, whether dedicated EV supply equipment is used, whether control communication is present, and what level of protection or control exists between the supply and vehicle.

Charging Mode 1 is basic AC charging where an electric vehicle is connected directly to a standard socket-outlet without dedicated EV control communication or dedicated EVSE control functions.

Charging Mode 2 uses a standard AC socket-outlet with an in-cable control and protection device between the supply and the vehicle. It is typically seen in portable charging leads rather than fixed charge points.

Charging Mode 3 uses dedicated AC electric vehicle supply equipment with control pilot communication between the charger and vehicle. The charger manages connection state, available current signalling and safety-related control functions.

Charging Mode 4 uses dedicated DC charging equipment that supplies DC power directly to the vehicle battery through a DC charging interface. The charger carries out the AC-to-DC conversion outside the vehicle.

A client is a device or software component that connects to a server to request services, exchange data or maintain a communication session. In EV charging it can describe a networking or software client, but in some controller-based architectures it may also be used as a modern alternative to “slave” for a device coordinated by a controller.

A Co-Funded Model is a CPO commercial arrangement in which the capital cost of EV charging infrastructure is shared between the Charge Point Operator and another party, such as a site host, local authority, grant scheme or other funding body. A prominent UK example is LEVI, where public LEVI capital is typically combined with private CPO investment and delivered through a concession contract.

Combined Charging System (CCS) is an EV charging system and connector family designed to support both AC and DC charging through a common vehicle inlet concept. Its two main connector variants are CCS1 (Combo 1), used mainly in North America, and CCS2 (Combo 2), which is the relevant CCS format for most UK and European EV charging.

Configurable current allows the maximum charging current to be set or limited during installation or configuration. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

Contactless payment allows users to pay for charging using a bank card, phone or compatible contactless payment method. It is normally assessed alongside measurement accuracy, payment records, tariffs, transaction data and legal metrology requirements.

A controller is hardware or software that manages charger operation, load control, communication or site-level coordination. In modern controller-worker terminology it can also replace the older term “master” in master-slave configurations, referring to the coordinating device or system that directs one or more worker/client devices.