Terms in Charging Topology category referencing EN 62196
Standard or regulation
EN 62196
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.
A
AC Charging
AC charging supplies alternating current to the vehicle, with conversion to DC handled by the vehicle's on-board charger. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.
C
Combined Charging System (CCS)
Combined Charging System (CCS) is an EV charging system and connector family designed to support both AC and DC charging through a common vehicle inlet concept. Its two main connector variants are CCS1 (Combo 1), used mainly in North America, and CCS2 (Combo 2), which is the relevant CCS format for most UK and European EV charging.
D
DC Charging
DC charging supplies direct current to the vehicle battery from off-board charging equipment. It is normally assessed alongside charging mode, AC/DC architecture, power rating, connector type and how the charger shares or delivers power.
H
High Power Charging (HPC)
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.
M
Mode 4 Charging
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.