EV Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms you’ll run into while researching or owning an EV.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle powered entirely by a battery and electric motor, with no gasoline engine — what most people mean by “EV.” See our Buying Guides.
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A DC fast-charging connector standard widely used in the US and Europe, combining AC and DC pins in one plug.
DC Fast Charging
High-power charging (typically 50kW–350kW) that delivers direct current straight to the battery, used for road-trip and public charging rather than daily home charging. See Public Charging & Road Trips.
Degradation (Battery)
The gradual, normal loss of a battery’s maximum usable capacity over time and charge cycles. See Battery Health & Degradation.
ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
The traditional gasoline or diesel engine used in non-electric vehicles — the baseline EVs are usually compared against.
kWh (Kilowatt-hour)
The unit used to measure both battery capacity (e.g., a 60kWh battery) and electricity consumption — the basis for every charging-cost calculation. Try our Charging Cost Calculator.
Level 1 Charging
Charging from a standard household outlet (110-120V in the US) — the slowest method, typically adding 3-5 miles of range per hour.
Level 2 Charging
Charging from a 240V circuit, either a dedicated home charger or public Level 2 station — the standard for overnight home charging. See Home Charging & Chargers.
MPGe (Miles Per Gallon equivalent)
An EPA rating that expresses an EV’s energy efficiency in terms comparable to a gas car’s miles-per-gallon.
NACS (North American Charging Standard)
The connector standard originally introduced by Tesla, now being adopted industry-wide across the US charging network.
OTA (Over-the-Air) Update
A software update delivered to the vehicle remotely via internet connection, without a dealer visit — common for EV infotainment and battery-management software.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle with both a gas engine and a plug-in battery that can drive on electric power alone for a limited range before switching to gas.
Range Anxiety
The worry about running out of charge before reaching a charging station or destination — largely addressed today by better range and denser charging networks. See How to Plan a Long EV Road Trip.
Regenerative Braking (Regen)
A system that captures energy normally lost during braking and feeds it back into the battery, improving efficiency and reducing brake wear.
SoH (State of Health)
A percentage representing a battery’s current maximum capacity versus its original capacity when new — the key figure to check when buying a used EV. See Used & Second-Hand EVs.
Supercharger
Tesla’s proprietary DC fast-charging network, now increasingly opened up to other EV brands via NACS adapters.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The full cost of owning a vehicle over time — purchase price, energy/fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — rather than just the sticker price. See Running Costs & Ownership.
V2G / V2H (Vehicle-to-Grid / Vehicle-to-Home)
Technology that lets an EV’s battery send power back to the grid or to your home, rather than only receiving it.
V2L (Vehicle-to-Load)
The ability to use an EV’s battery as a portable power source for external devices, via an outlet or adapter.