EV Dictionary

A

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Vehicle functions that assist with driving, warnings, braking, or monitoring.

safety technology

Air Suspension

A suspension system that supports the vehicle body with pressurized air springs.

drivetrain technology

B

Battery Degradation

How EV batteries lose capacity over time and what influences the rate.

battery basics

Battery Management System (BMS)

The controls that monitor, estimate, and protect an EV battery pack.

battery technology

Battery Preconditioning

How an EV prepares its battery temperature for charging or departure.

charging battery

Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)

A vehicle powered only by electricity stored in a rechargeable traction battery.

basics drivetrain

C

Cell-to-Pack (CTP)

A battery architecture that integrates cells directly into the pack structure.

battery technology

Charge Curve

How an EV's charging power changes as battery state of charge increases.

charging battery

Charging Loss

Energy measured during charging that is not retained by the traction battery.

Combined Charging System (CCS)

A vehicle inlet system supporting AC charging and DC fast charging.

charging infrastructure

D

DC Fast Charging

Charging that supplies controlled direct current to an EV battery.

charging basics

Drag Coefficient (Cd)

A dimensionless measure used to describe a vehicle's aerodynamic drag.

efficiency range

E

Energy Consumption

The electrical energy an EV uses to travel a stated distance.

efficiency range

EPA Range

The U.S. electric-range estimate produced under EPA test and label procedures.

range basics

Euro NCAP

A European consumer programme that tests and rates vehicle safety.

safety basics

F

Frunk

A front storage compartment made possible by a vehicle's component packaging.

drivetrain basics

H

Heat Pump

A climate system that moves heat to warm or cool an electric vehicle efficiently.

efficiency technology

K

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

The energy unit used for EV battery capacity and electricity consumption.

battery basics

L

LFP Battery

A lithium-ion battery chemistry using a lithium iron phosphate cathode.

battery technology

Lithium-Ion Battery

The rechargeable battery family used in most EVs, with electrode materials and cell designs that vary.

battery battery chemistry

LMFP Battery

A lithium-ion cathode chemistry that adds manganese to LFP to raise operating voltage.

battery battery chemistry

N

NCA Battery

A lithium-ion battery chemistry using a nickel-cobalt-aluminum cathode.

battery battery chemistry

NMC Battery

A lithium-ion battery chemistry using nickel, manganese, and cobalt.

battery technology

North American Charging System (NACS)

The compact AC and DC charging interface standardized as SAE J3400.

charging infrastructure

O

Onboard Charger (OBC)

The vehicle equipment that converts AC charging power to DC for the battery.

charging technology

One-Pedal Driving

A drive mode that produces strong deceleration when the accelerator is released.

drivetrain efficiency

Over-the-Air (OTA) Update

A vehicle software or firmware update delivered through a wireless connection.

technology basics

P

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

A vehicle combining plug-in electric driving with an internal-combustion engine.

basics drivetrain

R

Range Anxiety

Concern about having enough energy and charging access to complete an EV journey.

range basics

Regenerative Braking

Braking that converts part of a vehicle's kinetic energy back into electricity.

drivetrain efficiency

S

Semi-Solid, Quasi-Solid, and Condensed Batteries

A guide to three overlapping battery labels that may still include liquid or gel electrolyte.

battery battery architecture

Sodium-Ion Battery

A rechargeable battery family that stores energy by moving sodium ions between its electrodes.

battery battery chemistry

Solid-State Battery

A battery that uses a solid ion-conducting electrolyte instead of a conventional liquid electrolyte.

battery battery architecture

State of Charge (SoC)

The estimated percentage of an EV battery's usable energy that remains.

battery charging

T

Torque Vectoring

Active control of wheel or axle torque to influence traction and handling.

drivetrain technology

V

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

Bidirectional charging that allows a compatible EV to export energy to the grid.

charging technology

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L)

A feature that lets an EV power external electrical devices.

charging technology

W

WLTP

The regulated laboratory procedure used for electric range and energy consumption.

range basics