If you’re new to electric vehicles—or just starting to research them—you’ve probably noticed that EVs come with their own vocabulary. From charging speeds to range estimates, there’s a lot to absorb. But don’t worry: once you learn a few key phrases, the rest starts to fall into place.
Here’s a guide to 20 essential EV terms every electric driver should know. Whether you’re just browsing or already behind the wheel, this glossary will help you make sense of the road ahead.
1. EV (Electric Vehicle)A vehicle powered entirely or partially by electricity instead of gasoline.
2. BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)A fully electric vehicle powered only by a battery—no gas engine at all. Common examples include the Kia EV6, Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf.
3. HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)A hybrid uses both a gas engine and an electric motor, but it doesn’t plug in. The battery charges through regenerative braking and the engine.
4. PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)A hybrid with a larger battery that can be charged by plugging in. It can drive short distances on electric power alone before switching to gas.
5. kWh (Kilowatt-hour)The unit of measurement for battery capacity—essentially your EV’s “fuel tank” size. A larger number means more stored energy and usually a longer range.
6. kW (Kilowatt)A unit of power. Used to describe how fast a charger can deliver energy to your EV. More kilowatts = faster charging.
7. Level 1 chargerA standard wall outlet (120 volts). It’s the slowest way to charge—typically 3–5 miles of range per hour—but convenient for overnight charging.
8. Level 2 chargerA 240-volt charger, like what you’d use for a dryer or oven. It’s the most common home and public charging option, adding 20–40 miles of range per hour.
9. DC Fast ChargerAlso called Level 3 charging. These high-powered stations can deliver 80% charge in 20–40 minutes, depending on the car and charger.
10. CHAdeMOA type of DC fast charging connector, mostly used by older Nissan models. It’s being phased out in favor of newer standards like CCS and Tesla’s NACS.
11. CCS (Combined Charging System)The most common fast-charging connector in North America for non-Tesla EVs.
12. NACS (North American Charging Standard)Tesla’s fast-charging connector, now being adopted by other automakers. It’s compact, easy to use, and compatible with the Supercharger network.
13. Regenerative braking (regen)A system that recaptures energy when you slow down and sends it back into the battery. It helps extend range and reduces brake wear.
14. MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent)A measure of how far an EV can travel on the energy equivalent of one gallon of gas. It helps compare energy efficiency between EVs and traditional cars.
15. RangeThe distance an EV can travel on a full charge. Most new models offer 200 to 300+ miles of range.
16. Range anxietyThe fear of running out of battery before reaching a charger. It’s becoming less common as EV ranges increase and charging networks expand.
17. State of charge (SOC)The battery’s current charge level, usually shown as a percentage—similar to your phone’s battery indicator.
18. Over-the-air (OTA) updatesWireless software updates that improve features, fix bugs, or add new capabilities to your EV—just like updating your smartphone.
19. One-pedal drivingA driving mode where lifting off the accelerator slows the car down using regenerative braking. It often means you rarely need to use the brake pedal.
20. Charging curveDescribes how charging speed changes during a session. Most EVs charge fastest from 10% to 80%, then slow down to protect the battery.
EVs may sound technical at first, but once you understand the basic terms, it all starts to click. Whether you’re choosing between a BEV or PHEV, looking for a Level 2 charger, or figuring out how MPGe works, knowing the language helps you make more informed decisions—and feel more confident behind the wheel.
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.
