EV Charging Terminology

Kraken is Octopus Energy's technology platform used for energy retail, flexibility and smart energy services. In EV charging, Kraken integration may indicate compatibility with Octopus-managed tariffs, smart charging or energy optimisation services.

An LED status indicator uses lights or colours to show charger state, availability, fault status or charging progress. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.

Load balancing distributes available electrical capacity between chargers, circuits or site loads to avoid exceeding supply limits. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

Load curtailment reduces or temporarily limits charging demand to keep a site within an agreed electrical capacity or operating limit. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

Load management controls EV charging demand in response to available electrical capacity, site load, user priority or grid constraints. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund is a UK Government programme supporting local authorities in England to plan and deliver local EV charging infrastructure, primarily for residents without off-street parking. It includes capital and capability funding and is intended to unlock additional private investment. Delivery is typically structured through long-term concession contracts in which LEVI capital is combined with investment from an appointed Charge Point Operator.

The organisation that designs, produces or brands EV charging equipment for sale or deployment. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

A manufacturer's official website is the primary online source for product information, support, documentation and company details. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price is the indicative selling price recommended by the manufacturer before discounts, installation or reseller pricing. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

Maximum charging rate is the highest charging power a charger can deliver under its rated conditions, usually expressed in kW. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

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.

Meter values are recorded readings from a charger or meter, such as energy delivered, power, voltage, current or session readings. It is normally considered alongside charge point management systems, OCPP support, firmware updates, reporting and remote diagnostics.

The Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) is the EU framework for placing regulated measuring instruments on the market, including active electrical energy meters used for trade. In EV charging it is relevant to EU market billing, kWh measurement and legal metrology requirements.

The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 (MIR) are the UK regulations covering legally controlled measuring instruments, including active electrical energy meters used for trade. In EV charging they are relevant where measured kWh values are used to calculate charges, payments or rewards.

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.

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.

A specific version of a product that differs by power rating, outlet type, connectivity, cable length, protection or other configuration. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

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.

A modular RCD is a residual current device installed as a separate modular protective device, typically in a consumer unit or distribution board. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.