- BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
- A pure electric vehicle that runs exclusively on electricity from a large battery pack and has no internal combustion engine.
- CCS (Combined Charging System)
- The standard plug for rapid charging in Europe. It is essentially a Type 2 plug combined with two extra large metal pins at the bottom for powerful direct current (DC).
- Granny cable / 3-pin plug charger
- A charging cable for standard household power sockets. Should only be used in absolute emergencies due to the risk of fire (socket overheating) and very slow charging speeds.
- Heat pump
- An energy-efficient system for heating the EV's cabin. It uses significantly less battery power than a traditional electric heater, resulting in a longer driving range during winter.
- Hybrid (HEV)
- A car with both a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor. The battery charges itself through regenerative braking and cannot be plugged in.
- kW vs. kWh
- kW (kilowatts) indicates the engine's power output or a charger's speed (how fast the current flows). kWh (kilowatt-hours) indicates the battery's capacity (how much energy it can store, similar to the size of a fuel tank).
- Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
- A hybrid car with a larger battery that can be charged from a power outlet. Offers a longer electric-only driving range than a standard hybrid.
- Rapid charging / DC charging
- Charging with direct current (DC) at high power levels (often 50–350 kW). Typically used on road trips to charge the battery very quickly (e.g., 10–80% in 20–30 minutes).
- Type 2 cable
- The standard cable for slow and normal charging (AC charging) at home chargers and standard public charging stations in Europe.
- Wallbox / Home charger
- A wall-mounted charging station for the home that provides safe, stable, and significantly faster charging than a standard household socket.
- WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure)
- The official and most realistic standard for measuring a car's driving range and fuel consumption. Replaces the older and often overly optimistic NEDC standard.