EV Charging Terminology

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is a United States federal funding programme that provides funding to states for deployment of public EV charging infrastructure. It was established to build an interconnected charging network, initially focused on designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Under FY2026 programme rules, the federal share is 80% and private entities may provide the non-federal share of project costs.

Native solar support means the charger can work directly with solar generation or site energy monitoring to adjust EV charging based on available solar output, without relying entirely on a third-party workaround.

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.

NFC is short-range wireless communication used for contactless identification or payment, commonly through cards, phones or tokens.

North American Charging Standard is the connector system now commonly referred to as NACS and used in North American EV charging. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

The number of independent charging outlets available on a single charge point or charging unit. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

OCPP 1.5 is an older version of the Open Charge Point Protocol used for communication between charge points and management systems. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

OCPP 1.6 is a widely deployed Open Charge Point Protocol version used for charger-to-backend communication and remote management. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

OCPP 2.0.1 is a newer Open Charge Point Protocol version with expanded support for device management, security, transactions and smart charging. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

OCPP 2.1 is a recent Open Charge Point Protocol version developed to support advanced charging features, smart charging and improved interoperability. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

Open Charge Point Interface is a roaming and data exchange protocol used between e-mobility service providers and charge point operators. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is the open protocol used for communication between EV charge points and charging station management systems. It supports authorisation, transactions, remote monitoring, diagnostics, smart charging and interoperability between hardware and backend platforms.

An Open combined Protective and Neutral conductor Detection Device (OPDD) is a device or integrated EV charging function designed to detect conditions associated with an open PEN conductor fault and disconnect, or initiate disconnection of, the affected circuit or equipment. IET 01:2024 sets definitions, requirements and tests for OPDD behaviour.

Open PEN detection identifies conditions that may indicate a broken or disconnected combined protective and neutral conductor. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Operating temperature is the ambient temperature range within which a charger is designed to function correctly. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

Outlet type describes the physical connection provided by the charger, such as a socket, tethered cable, plug or DC connector. In the UK and Europe, the standardised AC connector is Type 2, while the standardised DC connector is CCS2.

Overcurrent protection protects conductors and equipment against excessive current caused by overloads or short circuits. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Overcurrent protection rating is the current value assigned to a protective device, normally stated in amps. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

OZEV Commercial refers to eligibility or listing status for UK workplace, commercial or infrastructure-related EV chargepoint grant schemes administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

OZEV Domestic refers to eligibility or listing status for UK domestic EV chargepoint grant schemes administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

A manufacturer-specific code used to identify a product, model variant, spare part or orderable charger configuration. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

PAS 1899:2022 is the UK accessible charging specification covering the design of public charge point environments, charger placement, physical accessibility and user information. It focuses on making public EV charging more usable for disabled and older drivers.

A charger mounted on a post, pedestal or stand rather than directly on a wall. It is normally checked against mounting method, exposure, durability, access requirements and the conditions at the installation location.

PEN-fault protection is protection against hazards caused by a broken or open combined protective and neutral conductor in PME/TN-C-S supplies. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Plug & Charge allows a compatible vehicle and charger to authenticate automatically through the charging connection without separate RFID or app steps. It is normally assessed alongside interoperability, supported protocol versions, firmware support and backend compatibility.

PME earthing is an earthing arrangement where the supply uses Protective Multiple Earthing with a combined neutral and protective function upstream. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

PME protection refers to protective measures used to address risks associated with Protective Multiple Earthing supplies, especially open PEN faults. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Power daisy chaining uses a supply arrangement where power is routed from one charger or connection point to another in a chained layout. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

Power output is the electrical power a charger can deliver to an EV, normally stated in kilowatts. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

Power sharing divides available charging power between multiple outlets or chargers, often reducing output when more vehicles are connected. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

Power supply refers to the electrical supply arrangement feeding a charger or group of chargers. It is normally assessed alongside phase availability, circuit capacity, protective devices, cable sizing and DNO/site constraints.

The main use case a charger is designed or commonly specified for, such as domestic, workplace, fleet, public or destination charging. It is normally used to match charger features to the intended environment, utilisation pattern and user group.

A group of related charger models that share a common design, platform, enclosure or product range name. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

The public-facing name used to identify a specific EV charger model or product range. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

The current lifecycle state of a charger, such as active, new, discontinued, legacy or not currently available. It is normally used to keep manufacturer, product, support and procurement information consistent across charger listings.

The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 are UK regulations for public EV charge points covering contactless payment, payment roaming, price transparency, open data, helplines and rapid charge point reliability. They apply to relevant public charging provision across the UK.

EV charging infrastructure available for use by members of the public, including on-street, rapid, destination and en-route charging. It is normally assessed alongside authorisation method, user experience, accessibility, payment flow and support requirements.