EV Charging Glossary

AC Charging
Alternating current charging, typically used for home and workplace chargers. It provides steady, overnight-style charging.

DC Charging
Direct current charging, usually found at public fast chargers. It allows much faster charging than home chargers.

Charger
The device installed at home or in public that supplies electricity to an electric vehicle.

Charging Cable
The cable that connects the charger to the vehicle. It locks in place during charging for safety.

Connector
The plug at the end of the charging cable that connects to the vehicle.

kW (Kilowatt)
A measure of charging power. Higher kW means faster charging speed.

kWh (Kilowatt-hour)
A measure of energy. This is what you pay for on your electricity bill and what determines battery capacity.

Load Management
A smart feature that adjusts charging power to avoid overloading the home’s electrical system.

Night-Rate Electricity
A lower electricity tariff available during off-peak hours, usually overnight.

Smart Charger
A charger that connects to an app or the internet, allowing scheduling, monitoring, and energy optimisation.

Scheduling
Setting charging to occur at specific times, often to use cheaper electricity.

Fuse Board
The main electrical distribution point in a home where safety devices and breakers are located.

Earthing
A safety system that protects against electrical faults by directing excess electricity safely into the ground.

Firmware
The software that controls how the charger operates. Firmware updates improve performance and compatibility.

Public Charging
Charging points located outside the home, such as on streets, car parks, or motorways.

Home Charging
Charging an electric vehicle at a private residence, usually overnight.

This glossary provides simple definitions for the most common EV charging terms. It is designed to support quick understanding and assist chatbot responses across the knowledge hub.