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Electric vehicle types
If you’re not overly familiar with electric vehicles, or have only seen EVs plugged in at charging stations, you might not be aware that the term “electric vehicle” is a blanket term used to refer to several types of EV. Here’s a quick rundown:
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Electric Vehicle (EV) - any vehicle powered by an electric motor.
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Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) - fully electric vehicles that use 100% battery power.
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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) - a petrol or diesel vehicle that usually comes with a 48-volt system and includes an extra battery. This helps assist the engine as well as power onboard tech. MHEV batteries don’t have enough power to run the car on electrical energy alone.
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Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) - a petrol or diesel vehicle with an electric battery that can be plugged in and charged up. Unlike a MHEV, a PHEV can run on electric power alone before switching to petrol/diesel when the battery runs flat.
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Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) - a ‘self-charging’ vehicle that also has a small electric motor and battery. HEVs don't have a plug, instead they get their power from the engine or through regenerative braking.
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Extended-Range Electric Range Vehicle (EREV) - vehicles powered by an electric battery that is recharged by a ‘range extender’, a small petrol-powered generator. EREVs are sometimes referred to as Range-Extended Electric Vehicles (REEV).
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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) - also referred to as a hydrogen car. FCEVs run on hydrogen instead of electricity and typically have ranges that exceed 300 miles.
Electric vehicle glossary
Below is a glossary of electric vehicle terms that you might hear when navigating the new world of low-emission driving.
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800V |
800V is one of the most powerful types of charging that can add as much as 60 miles of power in just 5 minutes. |
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AC/DC |
This refers to both Alternating Current and Direct Current electricity flows. |
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AC |
An Alternating Current is a type of electricity flow that can charge electric vehicles at slower speeds. You’ll find AC on home charging wall boxes. |
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Battery |
The component that stores the electricity that powers the motor. |
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BEV |
Battery Electric Vehicles are another way of saying fully electric vehicles. These are cars that are powered solely by a battery and do not require petrol or diesel, as hybrid cars do. |
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CCS |
CCS stands for Combined Charging System and is the standard for charging electric vehicles in the EU. Its layout consists of two DC pins that sit below the standard Type 2 connector plug. |
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CHAdeMO |
This is the name of a large, round four-pin charging plug that is only used at rapid charging stations. ChDeMo plugs are capable of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging but are less powerful than CSS. Many East Asian manufacturers like Nissan and Toyota use these chargers. |
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Charging Point |
The name for the location where you fill up your car with electric power. There are over 70,000 public charging points in the UK, and you can even get a charger installed at home. |
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DC |
Direct Current is a type of electricity flow that can charge electric vehicles at faster speeds. Electric cars have to convert AC power from the mains into DC before they can store it in the battery and this process takes extra time. DC charging stations cut out this process by providing DC power straight to the battery. |
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Fast Charging |
Fast charging or rapid charging stations are capable of charging at higher speeds, typically around 50-200kW. |
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Hybrid |
Hybrid cars come in many shapes and sizes. They combine either a petrol or diesel engine with an electric battery and motor to create a vehicle that emits less carbon dioxide. Plug-in hybrids contain a bigger battery and can be recharged. |
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Home Charger |
A charging point available to you at home. Installing a charging point at home is a great way to ensure you’ll be able to charge your EV at any time, even leaving it safely overnight. |
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ICE |
An Internal Combustion Engine is a traditional engine that typically runs on either petrol or diesel. From 2030, there will be a ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles in the UK. |
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Kilowatt (kW) |
1,000 watts. This unit of measurement is typically used when referring to electric vehicles. |
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Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) |
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of measurement for calculating how much electricity you've used and how large a battery is. It is the mpg equivalent for electric cars. |
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Li-ion |
Lithium-ion is the type of battery that is used in electric cars, phones and laptops. |
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Manufacturer |
The company that makes the electric vehicle. Manufacturers include recognisable brand names such as Audi, BMW, and Volvo. |
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Model |
The specific vehicle version. For example, the ID.4 is a model made by Volkswagen. |
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Motor |
The component that propels the vehicle. |
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Range |
The distance a vehicle will travel on a single charge from 100% capacity. Range will depend on vehicle type, the type of charger used, and the battery size and health. |
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Range Anxiety |
The fear of running out of charge before reaching a charging point. Though running out of charge accounts for only 1.4% of all EV breakdowns! |
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Rapid Charging |
A type of charging station, typically capable of charging at higher speeds. |
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Regenerative Braking |
A system that uses energy generated from braking to add charge back into the battery. Also known as brake recuperation. |
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Top-up Charging |
This means regularly charging your EV whenever you have the chance, whether it be at a charging point at the supermarket while you shop or in the car park at work. Even if the battery isn’t low, topping up at every opportunity ensures you won’t be caught short. Aim to charge up to 80% to maximise battery longevity and efficiency. |
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Transmission |
Typically manual or auto/semi-auto. For electric and hybrid models, this is normally limited to automatic. |
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Trim, Variant or Spec/Specification |
The component that defines the standard equipment. |
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ULEZ |
The Ultra Low Emission Zone is an area in London where high polluting vehicles get charged a daily rate if they drive within its borders. |
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Wall Box |
A unit installed to provide an accessible charging point. |
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WLTP |
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure is used to measure the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from passenger cars and vans. The testing is conducted in a laboratory across different temperatures to reflect real-world driving conditions. In 2018, WLTP became mandatory for measuring the C02 emissions and EV ranges on all new cars in the EU. |
Types of charging connectors
EVs require fuel, though they get their juice through battery charging rather than from non-renewable fuel. Chargers for electric vehicles use a very specific shape. This is a stark difference to traditional petrol and diesel cars, where it’s easy to accidentally fill up your car with the wrong type if you aren’t paying close attention. So don’t worry, it’s impossible to plug in the wrong type of charger! There are four main types of chargers to be aware of, which we cover below.
Combined Charging System (CCS)
CCS stands for Combined Charging System and is the most common connector for EVs across Europe. This connector will be available to use at DC rapid or ultra rapid charging stations.
As pictured above, the CCS connector consists of two DC pins that sit below a standard Type 2 connector, which we’ll cover below.
CHAdeMO
CHAdeMO connectors are usually only seen on vehicles that have a manufacturer from East Asia, such as Nissan, Mitsubishi or Kia.
As pictured above, the CHAdeMO ‘plug’ is circular with 4 round pins. This connector will be available to use when charging at a DC rapid or ultra-rapid charging station.
Type 1
A Type 1 circular charging plug has 5 pins and a clip. This type of connector is much more common in the US, and you’re less likely to find this in the UK. Many manufacturers are moving away from the Type 1 charger in favour of Type 2.
Type 2
Type 2 is the most common connector for AC charging. A Type connector has 7 pins and a flat edge. This type of charger is becoming the standard on most new electric vehicles.
You’ll often need to bring your own Type 2 charging cable with you when you plug in at an AC charging point. You’re most likely to find Type 2 connectors on street posts or on your own home charger.
Kilo-What?
Kilowatts are a fundamental part of electric vehicle terminology. When reading about anything EV related you'll be sure to come across this word - so what does it mean? And what’s the difference between kW and kWh?
kW
kWh stands for kilowatt-hour and is a measurement of electricity. Knowing what a kWh is will help you understand how much energy you are using.
You’ll see kilowatt-hours used when looking at a car’s battery size. The bigger the battery in kWh, the more electricity you’ll be able to fit into it.
For example, a Kia EV6 with a 77.4kWh battery can store a maximum of 77.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity. To put this into perspective, a battery this size would be able to run a 1kW appliance like a kettle for 77.4 hours.
kWh
kWh stands for kilowatt-hour and is a measurement of electricity. Knowing what a kWh is will help you understand how much energy you are using.
You’ll see kilowatt-hours used when looking at a car’s battery size. The bigger the battery in kWh, the more electricity you’ll be able to fit into it.
For example, a Kia EV6 with a 77.4kWh battery can store a maximum of 77.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity. To put this into perspective, a battery this size would be able to run a 1kW appliance like a kettle for 77.4 hours.
Start your electric Jurni
There are several benefits of going electric, such as cost savings and a lower carbon footprint. And thanks to the latest advancements in technology, electric vehicles are better than ever, offering the same performance and reliability as a traditional fuel car, just with low or no emissions.
Browse our electric car lease deals, and discover the perfect electric or hybrid car to suit your needs and your wallet.
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