EV Charging Terminology

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.

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.

DC charging supplies direct current to the vehicle battery from off-board charging equipment. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

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.

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.

Mode 1 charging is basic AC charging from a standard socket without dedicated EV charging control or protection built into the supply equipment. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Mode 2 charging uses a cable with an in-cable control and protection device between a socket outlet and the EV. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Mode 3 charging uses dedicated AC EV supply equipment with control signalling between the charger and the vehicle. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

Mode 4 charging uses off-board DC charging equipment to supply DC power directly to the vehicle battery. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.

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.

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.