EV Charging Terminology

Fault indication is how a charger shows that a fault, error or abnormal condition has been detected. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.

Firmware is the embedded software that controls charger hardware functions, communication and operating behaviour. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

Firmware updates are updates to embedded charger software, delivered locally or remotely depending on the product and backend support. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

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.

The physical format or mounting style of a charger, such as wall-mounted, pedestal-mounted, floor-standing or integrated hardware. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

A Fully Funded Model is a CPO commercial arrangement in which the Charge Point Operator funds all, or effectively all, of the upfront capital required to deploy EV charging infrastructure. The site host or landowner typically provides the site and contractual rights with little or no capital contribution, while the CPO takes the investment and utilisation risk and recovers its costs from charging revenue over the contract term. Asset ownership, rent and revenue-share terms vary by contract.

GB/T Charging Standard refers to Chinese national recommended standards used for conductive EV charging, including requirements for AC and DC charging connections and associated communication. In EV charging, the term is commonly used to describe the Chinese charging interface and protocol ecosystem, including the GB/T 20234 series.

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 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.

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.

IET 01:2024 is a non-statutory IET standard and technical specification for Open combined Protective and Neutral conductor Detection Devices used with EV charging equipment. It sets out definitions, requirements and tests for how discrete or integrated OPDD functions should respond to open PEN conductor faults.

IK rating describes the level of protection an electrical enclosure provides against external mechanical impact. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

Individual supply per outlet means each charging outlet has its own dedicated electrical supply or separately protected feed. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

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.

An installation manual provides instructions for mounting, wiring, commissioning, configuration and safe installation of a charger. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

An integrated payment terminal is a built-in card or contactless payment device on the charger.

The controls, indicators or access methods a user interacts with on or through a charger. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.

Internal PE breakage refers to a charger design where the charger has a means of interrupting or isolating the protective earth path internally as part of its response to a detected PEN fault condition.

IP rating describes the level of protection an enclosure provides against solid objects, dust and water ingress. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

ISO 15118 is the international vehicle-to-grid communication standard series covering EV-to-charger digital communication, Plug & Charge, smart charging and bidirectional charging functions. In the UK it is increasingly relevant to future-ready public, fleet and V2G-capable charging systems.

ISO 15118-1 defines general information and use cases for the vehicle-to-grid communication interface. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-10 specifies requirements for wireless power transfer communication within the vehicle-to-grid communication framework. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-2 specifies network and application protocol requirements for EV-to-EVSE communication. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-20 is the second-generation vehicle-to-grid network and application protocol standard, extending support for advanced smart charging and bidirectional power transfer. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-3 covers physical and data link layer requirements for vehicle-to-grid communication. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-4 contains conformance test specifications for ISO 15118 network and application protocol requirements. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-5 contains conformance test specifications for the physical and data link layer of vehicle-to-grid communication. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-6 covers wireless communication general information and use cases within the vehicle-to-grid communication framework. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-7 defines wireless communication requirements for network and application layers in the vehicle-to-grid communication interface. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

ISO 15118-8 covers wireless communication physical and data link layer requirements for vehicle-to-grid communication. On EVCP Info, it links related terminology to the relevant regulatory, standards or compliance framework used by UK-focused audiences.

IT earthing is an arrangement where the supply has no direct connection to earth or is connected through a high impedance. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.