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.

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.

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.

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.

EN 18031 is a European cyber security standard series for radio equipment, developed to support Radio Equipment Directive cyber security requirements.

Ethernet is a wired network connection used to connect a charger to a local network, gateway or backend system. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Ethernet daisy chain networking connects chargers in sequence using Ethernet links rather than individual network runs to each unit. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Ethernet to WLAN describes a network arrangement where a wired connection is used to provide or bridge wireless connectivity. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

GSM is an older mobile network technology associated with 2G cellular communications. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is a 3G mobile data enhancement once used to improve download speeds over legacy cellular networks. In the UK it should be treated as retired alongside 3G, so it is not suitable for new EV charger communication designs or long-term backend connectivity.

ModBus RTU is a serial ModBus communication method, commonly used over RS-485. In EV charging, it may be used for meters, load controllers, gateways or site energy management devices.

ModBus TCP/IP is a ModBus communication method that runs over Ethernet/IP networks. In EV charging, it may be used for integration with meters, energy management systems, building controls or load management systems.

A modem provides a communication link to an external network, such as cellular mobile data or broadband. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Modem to Ethernet describes a cellular or broadband modem providing a wired Ethernet connection to one or more chargers. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Modem to WLAN describes a modem providing wireless local network connectivity to chargers or site devices. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Network sharing allows multiple chargers or outlets to share a communication path, gateway, modem or local network connection. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Networking refers to the physical and wireless communication arrangements that connect chargers to local systems, gateways or backend platforms. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

A router connects local network devices to each other and to wider networks such as the internet. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

A server is a system that provides services, data or applications to clients, including charger management platforms and backend systems. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

A SIM card identifies a device on a mobile network and enables cellular data connectivity for compatible chargers. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

A network switch connects multiple wired Ethernet devices on a local network. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Wi-Fi or WLAN is wireless local area networking used to connect a charger to a router, gateway or internet connection. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz is a wireless frequency band commonly supported by EV chargers and routers. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Wi-Fi 5 GHz is a wireless frequency band that can provide higher throughput but often shorter range than 2.4 GHz. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

Wi-Fi 6 GHz is a newer wireless frequency band associated with Wi-Fi 6E and later networking equipment. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.

WLAN to Ethernet describes a network arrangement where a wireless connection is bridged or converted to wired Ethernet for charger connectivity. It is normally considered alongside site connectivity, router/modem configuration, signal availability and ongoing remote support.