EV Charging Terminology

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.

EV charging provided at locations where vehicles are parked for a period, such as hotels, retail sites, leisure venues or car parks. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.

EV charging equipment intended primarily for homes, driveways, garages or private residential parking. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.

EV charging infrastructure designed for multiple business vehicles, vans, taxis, buses or operational fleets. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.

High Power Charging refers to very high-output DC charging intended to add energy quickly during short stops. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

The physical environment where a charger is installed, such as indoor, outdoor, wall, pedestal, car park, depot or public space. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a high-power DC charging system developed for heavy-duty electric vehicles, particularly electric trucks and other applications that need very large amounts of energy transferred during short charging stops. It uses a dedicated high-current connector and is being standardised internationally, including within the IEC 61851 series.

A charger mounted on a post, pedestal or stand rather than directly on a wall. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

The main use case a charger is designed or commonly specified for, such as domestic, workplace, fleet, public or destination charging. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.

EV charging infrastructure available for use by members of the public, including on-street, rapid, destination and en-route charging. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.

Rapid charging generally refers to higher-power charging intended to add significant range in a shorter period, commonly using DC infrastructure. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Standard or slow charging describes lower-power charging, typically associated with domestic or long-dwell AC charging. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Standard Plus or fast charging describes higher-power AC charging, often around 7 kW to 22 kW depending on supply and charger capability. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Ultra-rapid charging describes very high-power DC charging designed for short dwell times and high energy transfer. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Vehicle-to-Building allows an EV to supply energy to a building or site load through compatible bidirectional charging equipment. It is normally assessed alongside vehicle compatibility, export permissions, grid connection requirements and the supported communication standards.

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) is an umbrella term for bidirectional EV charging use cases where energy can flow from the vehicle to another load, building, home, grid or wider energy system. It includes V2G, V2H, V2B and V2L depending on the destination of the exported energy.

Vehicle-to-Home allows an EV to supply energy to a home through compatible bidirectional charging equipment and electrical controls. It is normally assessed alongside vehicle compatibility, export permissions, grid connection requirements and the supported communication standards.

Vehicle-to-Load allows an EV to supply power directly to external loads such as tools, equipment or appliances. It is normally assessed alongside vehicle compatibility, export permissions, grid connection requirements and the supported communication standards.

A charger designed to be fixed to a wall or similar vertical surface. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

EV charging provided at offices, depots, staff car parks or commercial premises for employees, visitors or business vehicles. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.