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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eichrecht is German calibration and measurement law affecting how EV charging energy measurements, billing records and customer-facing transaction data are verified. It is mainly relevant to European market compliance rather than UK-only installations.

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 set Great Britain requirements for private smart charge points, including smart functionality, security, default charging behaviour and randomised delay. They apply to relevant charge points sold for domestic and certain private use cases.

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

EN 60364-7-722 is the European and international low-voltage installation standard for supplies to electric vehicles and related EV charging circuits. It formed the basis for EV charging installation requirements that have been incorporated into the UK through BS 7671 Section 722.

EN 60529 is the UK-relevant BS EN standard defining IP codes for the degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures against solid objects, dust and water. EV charger datasheets commonly use IP ratings to describe enclosure suitability.

EN 61851 is the UK-relevant BS EN IEC standard series for conductive EV charging systems, covering EVSE requirements, charging modes, control functions and safety principles for AC and DC charging. In UK terminology it is often referenced through BS EN IEC adoption and manufacturer compliance declarations.

EN 61851-1 is the general requirements part of the EV conductive charging system standard series. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 61851-21-1 covers electromagnetic compatibility requirements for EV on-board chargers when conductively connected to an AC or DC supply. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 61851-21-2 covers EMC requirements for off-board EV charging systems when conductively connected to an EV. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 61851-22 is a legacy part of the EN 61851 series relating to AC electric vehicle charging stations. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 61851-23 covers DC EV charging stations and the requirements for DC energy transfer between the supply network and electric vehicles. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 61851-24 covers digital communication between a DC EV charging station and an electric vehicle for DC charging control. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196 is the UK-relevant BS EN IEC standard series for EV plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets. It underpins terminology around Type 2, CCS and other conductive charging connector formats used in UK charger specifications.

EN 62196-1 sets general requirements for EV plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets used for conductive charging. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196-2 defines dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for AC EV charging pin-and-contact-tube accessories, including Type 2. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196-3 covers DC and combined AC/DC vehicle couplers, including standardised DC charging connector configurations. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196-4 covers dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for DC pin-and-contact-tube accessories used in certain charging systems. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196-5 relates to dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for DC connectors used in specific conductive charging systems. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62196-6 covers dimensional compatibility requirements for DC connectors intended for lower-voltage DC charging applications. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN 62262 is the UK-relevant BS EN standard defining IK codes for the degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures against external mechanical impact. EV charger datasheets use IK ratings to describe impact resistance.

EN 62955 is the UK-relevant BS EN IEC standard for Residual Direct Current Detecting Devices used in Mode 3 EV charging equipment. It is commonly associated with 6 mA DC residual current detection and how EV chargers interact with upstream RCD protection.

EN IEC 63584 is the European and international standards-track home for OCPP, formalising Open Charge Point Protocol communication between charge points and charging station management systems. In UK terminology it supports OCPP as a recognised interoperability standard for EV charging infrastructure.

EN IEC 63584-201 is part of the OCPP standards series and aligns OCPP 2.0.1 with a formal EV charging communication standard. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

EN IEC 63584-210 is part of the OCPP standards series and aligns OCPP 2.1 with a formal EV charging communication standard. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ENA Connect Direct AC EV is an ENA process or listing route for AC EV charge points, supporting connection notification or application workflows for UK distribution networks.

ENA Connect Direct V2G relates to ENA connection data for vehicle-to-grid capable equipment.

ENA Connect Direct V2G Stack refers to the broader approved or declared combination of V2G charger, inverter or control system and associated equipment used for connection assessment.

ENA EREC G100 is the UK Engineering Recommendation for customer export and import limitation schemes used to control power flow at a grid connection point. In EV charging it is relevant to load management, constrained connections, V2G export control and maximum import limitation.

ENA EREC G94 is a UK Engineering Recommendation addressing the risks and arrangements associated with multiple electricity connections in close proximity. In EV charging it may be relevant to complex sites, adjacent supplies, multi-occupancy buildings or installations where separate connections interact.

ENA EREC G98 is the UK Engineering Recommendation for connecting fully type-tested small-scale generation equipment up to 16 A per phase in parallel with public distribution networks. In EV charging, it can become relevant where equipment includes export-capable generation or storage-related functions.

ENA EREC G99 is the UK Engineering Recommendation for connecting generation equipment and larger power generating facilities in parallel with public distribution networks. It is relevant to export-capable EV charging, V2G, storage and larger schemes that do not fall under G98.

ETSI EN 303 645 is a cyber security standard for consumer internet-connected products, covering baseline security practices such as passwords, vulnerability handling and secure updates.