Glossary of electric vehicle terms

Electric vehicle glossary

This is a glossary of electric vehicle terms and words. These words are often used to describe electric vehicle equipment and manufacturers.

A

Aptera Motors

Aptera Motors [aptera.us] is a startup high-efficiency car manufacturer based in California USA. They make the Aptera Sol, a solar electric vehicle.

C

Clean Car Discount

The Clean Car Discount is a range of government initiatives to tackle transport sector CO2 emission levels.

C

CCS

CCS means Combined Charging System and is a type of connector.

E

ElectricAir

ElectricAir is a Christchurch start-up on a mission to clean up our skies. They are Aotearoa New Zealand’s first all electric airline. Electric aircraft are cleaner, quieter and cheaper to operate. ElectricAir [electricair.nz]

EVSE

EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment An EVSE often describes the cable (or device) connecting a power supply to an electric vehicle. The device allows controlled communication between an electric power supply and an electric vehicle.

K

KEVS

KEVS stands for Kāpiti Electric Vehicle Society – Accelerating Kāpiti’s transition towards sustainable transportation.

L

Leaf

A Leaf is a battery electric vehicle manufactured by Nissan [nissan.co.nz]. ‘LEAF’ is an acronym for Leading, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable, Family Car. First manufactured in 2010, Leaf sales currently exceed 500,000 units around the World.

N

NECD

NECD stands for New European Driving Cycle. It has been superseded by WLTP. The outdated NECD measured fuel consumption and emissions from vehicles based on theoretical driving.

R

Range anxiety

Range anxiety is a phrase to describe an EV driver’s nervous state. This nervous state is often caused by the fear of believing they do not have enough battery charge to get them to a charging station or their destination.

S

SEV

SEV stands for solar electric vehicle. Solar electric vehicles typically use solar panels, fixed onto the vehicles body. The solar panels generate power for the batteries.

Sion

The Sion is a solar electric vehicle manufactured by Sono Motors. The Sion is self-charging and has a range of about 255km.

SoC

SoC stands for state of charge. State of charge refers to the current level of battery charge. SoC is usually measured in percentage.

SoH

SoH stands for state of health. State of health refers to the level of usefulness of a batteries capacity. Over time a battery’s capacity degrades with use. This degrading means a used battery cannot hold same amount of charge, compared to when it was new. For example, a new 2010 Nissan Leaf would have had a SoH of 100%. However, with years of recharging the battery’s SoH may have dropped to about 50%. The SoH varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends on many factors. These factors include how often the Leaf has been recharged and how many times the battery has been fast charged. Using fast chargers may degrade an EVs battery quicker.

Sol

The Sol is a solar electric vehicle manufactured by Aptera Motors. The Sol is self-charging has a range of about 1,000km.

Sono Motors

Sono Motors [sonomotors.com] EV stands for solar electric vehicle. Solar electric vehicle typically use solar panels, on the vehicles body, to generate power for the batteries.

T

Tesla

Tesla [tesla.com], is an American electric vehicle and sustainable energy company. Tesla’s electric vehicles include: Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, ATV, Roadster and Semi. Together they form the acronym ‘SEXY CARS’.

W

WLTP

WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure. WLTP is globally recognised. It is used to measure fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from passenger cars, as well as their pollutant emissions. For example a Tesla Model 3 has a WLTP range of 580km. WLTP is based on real driving data and replaces old NECD.