Resources
EV charging glossary
The key EV charging terms, explained in plain language.
- AC (alternating current)
- The current from the mains grid. AC chargers (wallboxes) range from 3.5 to 22 kW; the car's onboard charger converts AC to DC.
- DC (direct current)
- Fast charging delivers DC straight to the battery (30–300 kW), bypassing the car's charger. This is what fast stations use.
- kW / kWh
- kW measures power (charging speed); kWh measures energy (battery size or energy added).
- OCPP
- Open protocol connecting chargers to the management platform. EN+ hardware is OCPP 1.6J and the platform is OCPP 2.0.1.
- OCPI
- Protocol that enables roaming between networks: charging at other operators' points with a single account.
- CCS2
- The standard DC fast-charging connector in Europe. It combines Type 2 with two extra power pins.
- Type 2 (Mennekes)
- The standard AC charging connector in Europe, used on home and commercial wallboxes.
- Load balancing
- Shares the available power across several chargers so the building's contracted power is never exceeded.
- MID
- Certified meter (Measuring Instruments Directive) that allows energy to be billed legally.
- RFID
- A card or fob to identify yourself and start charging at shared or public points.
- PV mode
- Charges the car with surplus energy from your solar panels, prioritising green energy.
- OTA
- Remote updates to the charger's software, with no site visits or user action.