Electric vehicle glossary
Cut through the jargon. Browse key industry terms and definitions.
A
AC (Alternating Current)
Electrical current that changes direction; used in slower charging.
All-Electric Range (AER)
How far an EV can travel on a single charge without petrol or diesel backup.
Ampere (Amp)
Unit of electric current measurement, relevant to charging load.
Anode/Cathode
The positive and negative electrodes in a battery cell.
B
Battery Capacity (kWh)
The “size” of the battery; more kWh means more range.
Battery Degradation
The gradual loss of battery capacity over time.
Battery Pack
Used to describe the entire battery system. Comprises multiple battery modules, monitoring software and thermal management systems within a hard housing.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
A type of vehicle powered solely by electricity stored in a rechargeable battery.
BMS (Battery Management System)
Electronics that monitor and control battery performance and safety.
Bidirectional Charging
Ability for power to flow both into and out of a vehicle battery.
C
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A common plug type for rapid charging in Europe.
C-Rate
Measurement of charging and discharging speed relative to battery capacity.
Cell
The fundamental energy-storing unit of an electric vehicle's battery pack, functioning as a small, individual battery
Cell Balancing
Process of equalising charge across battery cells to maintain health.
Chemistry
Refers to the specific battery composition (e.g. NMC, LFP).
E
E/E Architecture
Electrical and electronic architecture within modern EVs that control various core functions.
Electrolyte
The medium inside a battery that allows ions to move between anode and cathode.
End of Life (EoL)
The point at which a battery is no longer fit for vehicle use.
EV (Electric Vehicle)
Any vehicle powered fully or partly by an electric motor.
H
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery. Unlike Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), HEVs are "self-charging".
Home Charger
A wall-mounted charging unit installed at your home for faster, safer charging.
HV (High Voltage)
EV architectures operating at 400V–800V (or more).
M
MCS (Megawatt Charging System)
Ultra-fast charging standard for heavy-duty EVs.
MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that uses a traditional petrol or diesel engine supplemented by a small electric motor and battery, though it cannot drive on electricity alone.
Modular Battery Pack
Design allowing easier maintenance, repair, or cell replacement.
Module
A collection of cells connected in series or parallel to create the required voltage or energy capacity.
MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent)
A way to compare EV efficiency to petrol cars.
R
Range
The maximum distance an EV can travel on a full charge.
Regenerative Braking
A system that recovers kinetic energy from a slowing vehicle and converts it into electricity to recharge the battery.
Residual Value (RV)
Forecast of EV resale value, critical for fleet and leasing.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Used in warranty and recall investigations.
RUL (Remaining Useful Life)
Estimated lifespan left for a battery pack.
