The EV Glossary

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows access to information about your car via your manufacturer’s smartphone app. Providing your login details in the Ohme app allows Ohme to access your car's current state of charge. This is used to work out how much charge you need. We are currently integrated with the following APIs: BMW, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Renault, Tesla, Volkswagen (excluding ID.3 and ID.4).

An intelligent charging system that optimises charging through data connections.

Default charging preference that automatically charges your car according to the preferences you input.

Temporarily disables all charge schedules and simply charges your car at full power.

Power cycle is the act of turning the charger off and on again from the main circuit breaker.

A battery powered car is charged from mains electricity and runs on the battery in the car.

A car that runs off a rechargeable battery and an internal combustion engine.

A type of hybrid EV that has a small petrol generator to charge the battery when range is depleted. This allows for increased range.

A type of hybrid EV that has a small petrol generator to charge battery when range is depleted. This allows for increased range.

An EV that runs off a fuel cell.

A vehicle that runs on a fuel other than petrol or diesel.

Location where electric vehicles can be plugged in and charged.

A fast charging system for EVs.

The fastest (high powered) way to charge electric vehicles quickly with an electrical output ranging from 50kW – 120kW. This will fully charge an average sized electric car in 30 to 40 minutes.

Industry standard battery with the average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

Delivers 110-120V of alternating current. Slower charging because of low power flow.

Level 2 supplies up to 240V. Faster charging than Level 1. On average can fully charge an EV in 8 hours.

The fastest method of charging. Uses direct current to fully charge the car in approximately 30 minutes. Not used often as it is fairly new and very expensive.

This refers to the anxious feeling of operating an electric vehicle because of the fear of running out of battery charge while driving.

A breaking system that captures energy during vehicle motion. Decreases energy waste.

Utility rates vary according to high- and low-peak use hours. This is the rate charged for electricity consumption.

A vehicle that emits no pollutants.

Fossil fuel powered vehicles

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Infrastructure designed to supply power to EVs.

Vehicle to Grid. A system that allows EVs to communicate with the power grid to manage the flow of electricity on either direction.

Charging your electrical vehicle at a lower rate during off-peak hours.

Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. Provide a government grant for the installation of a wall charger.

An electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals. AC is used for electricity distribution.

An electric current that flows in one direction. DC is used in low voltage application such as charging batteries, solar panels and automotive applications.

Unit of electric current.

A unit of energy equivalent to the energy transferred or expended in one hour by one kilowatt of power.

Miles per gallon gas equivalent. Represent how many miles an electric vehicle is estimated to be capable of travelling on the amount of energy contained in a gallon of gas.

Range per hour. Miles of range per hour of charge.

New European Driving Cycles. Designed to assess the emission levels of car engines and fuel economy in passenger cars.

Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure. Detailed emission and efficiency test to obtain the real world electric range of an EV.

USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Established own test which is considered to be the least optimistic.