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All you need to know about “EV”
EV (Electric Vehicle)
EV (electric vehicle) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion; often used generally for any non-combustion vehicle, but most often for entirely electric-powered cars.
ICEs (Internal Combustion Engines)
ICEs (internal combustion engines) usually powered by energy-dense fuels such as gasoline or diesel fuel, which are the dominant power source for on-road vehicles today.
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) supplies electric energy from an electricity source to the electric vehicles for the purpose of recharging of batteries. It communicates with the EV to ensure that an appropriate and safe flow of electricity is supplied. EVSE units are commonly referred to as “charging stations” but there are people who use it loosely to include cables, leads, adapters, electrical conductors, related equipment, software etc.
HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system (hybrid vehicle drivetrain) to provide high fuel economy. They rely on a petroleum-based or an alternative fuel for power and are not plugged in to charge. HEV batteries are charged by the ICE or other propulsion source and during regenerative braking.
PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery can be recharged by plugging a charging cable into an external electric power source or an alternative fuel to power an ICE or other propulsion source.
BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles)
BEV: “battery electric vehicle” pure electric vehicle that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion (for example hydrogen fuel cell, internal combustion engine, etc).
The EV battery uses Direct Current (DC) voltage and is usually a lithium-based technology. Most passenger EVs have between 30-100kWh batteries. As a general guide, the larger the size of an EV battery, the further the range and the more power the EV motor can provide to drive its wheels.
One key feature of EVs is the ability to recover energy during braking. When braking, the EV automatically converts unwanted kinetic energy from the wheels to recharge the battery. Regenerative braking helps to preserve EV range (especially in city driving) and reduces the maintenance required for EV disc brakes.
kW (Kilowatt)
kW: “Kilowatt” measurement of electrical power (how fast a car is being charged).
kWh (Kilowatt Hour)
“Kilowatt Hour” measurement of electrical energy (how full a car battery is); equal to one kilowatt of power delivered for an hour.
