EV Charging Terminology

Cable length is the usable length of a tethered charging cable or supplied charging lead. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

CCS1 is a Combined Charging System connector variant used mainly in North America for DC fast charging. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

CCS2 is the Combined Charging System connector variant commonly used in the UK and Europe for DC rapid and ultra-rapid charging. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging connector system used by some older EVs and certain vehicle models. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

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.

A dual outlet charger provides two charging outlets from one charger body or assembly. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A shuttered socket includes a mechanical shutter or barrier over live contacts when no plug is inserted. It is normally assessed during product selection, circuit design, installation verification and maintenance of EV charging equipment.

Simultaneous charging means more than one vehicle can charge at the same time from a multi-outlet charger or grouped charger system. It is normally assessed against site capacity, maximum demand, charger grouping and the behaviour expected when electrical demand changes.

A tethered charger has a fixed charging cable permanently attached to the charge point. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

Type 1 is an AC EV charging connector associated mainly with older or non-European vehicles using the SAE J1772 format. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

Type 2 is the standard AC charging connector widely used for EV charging infrastructure in the UK and Europe. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.

An untethered charger provides a socket outlet and requires the user to supply a separate charging cable. It is normally checked against vehicle compatibility, socket or cable arrangement, installation design and the intended user group.