Glossary of Industry Terms.

AC - AC (alternating current) is a type of electricity commonly used in EV charging, with power usually provided directly from the grid.

AC charging - AC stands for alternating current and is a type of power most commonly used for EV charging. Level 1 in North America and Level 2 in North America or Europe home and public chargers both use AC power.

ADA - stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, a U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including transportation and public accommodations. In the EV charging industry, ADA compliance refers to the design and installation of EV charging stations in a way that is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes ensuring that individuals using mobility devices (like wheelchairs) can access, reach, and use charging equipment safely and independently.

Adapter - An EV adapter allows an EV to connect to different types of EV chargers. For example, Teslas can use adapters to connect to other types of EV chargers.

Adaptive Load Management - Technology that adjusts charging loads in real time to match available site power and minimize peak demand.

Adaptive voltage - Adaptive voltage is the capability of charging systems to adjust voltage levels during charging, optimizing efficiency and battery health.

AER (All-electric range) - All-electric range is an EV's maximum driving range using its battery.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit -  is a federal tax credit available to individuals and businesses that install qualified alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, including EV charging stations.

Behind-the-Fence Charging - Describes charging infrastructure installed within a secured or private area, such as inside a fleet yard, bus depot, or gated facility. It is designated for specific users like fleet vehicles or employees and is not open to public access.

BESS - BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) units store energy from the grid for use when needed. A BESS helps provide grid stability by releasing energy during periods of high demand.

BEV (Battery electric vehicle) - A BEV is an EV that runs only on electricity. BEVs provide the greatest cost and environmental benefits.

Bidirectional Charging - The ability of an EV charger to both charge the vehicle and send power back to the grid, home, or building.

Bollards - short, durable posts installed around EV charging stations to protect equipment, ensure pedestrian safety, and guide vehicle movement. Commonly made of steel or concrete, they prevent accidental collisions with chargers and are often required by code for ADA compliance and site safety.

Cable arm - Cable arms, such as the Kempower Cable Arm, provide a space-saving cable management solution for tight and high installation locations, including electric bus and truck depots and ports.

Cable management or support system - Cable management or support systems securely hold and manage charging cables, preventing cables from becoming tangled or damaged.

CCS (Combo) - CCS stands for combined charging standard, a set of charging standards commonly used for fast charging.

CCS1 - CCS1 (combined charging system 1 for North America) is an enhanced version of the rapid-charging single-connector CCS, offering improved capabilities that enable faster and more efficient charging.

CCS2 - CCS2 (combined charging system 2) is an enhanced version of the rapid-charging single-connector CCS, offering improved capabilities that enable faster and more efficient charging.

CHAdeMO - CHAdeMO is a DC fast charging connector standard developed in Japan, enabling high-power charging at dedicated stations. Unlike CCS, it uses a separate port for DC charging. While less common today, some EVs (Leafs) still use CHAdeMO for rapid charging.

ChargePoint - A leading EV charging equipment manufacturer and network provider offering a wide range of AC and DC charging solutions for residential, commercial, and fleet use.

ChargePoint Network - A cloud-based platform connecting ChargePoint chargers, enabling real-time monitoring, access control, payment processing, and driver services.

ChargEye - Kempower ChargEye is a cloud-based charging management software for EV charging systems. It helps charging operators and service providers get started and makes charging sessions more cohesive for charge point operators and EV drivers.

Charging curve - Charging curves visually show how much energy an EV battery takes in over time while charging. Charging rates generally slow down as batteries get closer to a 

Charging points - Charging points, also called charging stations or charging infrastructure, are facilities with electrical outlets or connectors where EVs can be charged. Typically offering various charging speeds and standards, charging points are located in public, commercial and residential areas.

Charging Ports - The physical outlets on an EV or charging station where connectors plug in to transfer electricity to the vehicle's battery. Different port types support various charging levels and connector standards.

Charging rate - Charging rate refers to how long it takes to charge an EV. Battery size, station power, and state of charge all affect charging rate.

Charging station - A charging station refers to where you charge your EV both in public and at home.

Clean Cities Coalition - A U.S. Department of Energy initiative that supports local efforts to reduce petroleum use and advance clean transportation, including EV adoption.

Clean Commercial Vehicle Credit - A federal tax credit that incentivizes the purchase of qualified new clean vehicles, including electric commercial vehicles, to promote fleet electrification.

Cloud-Based Charging Management - Software platforms that remotely monitor, manage, and optimize EV charging stations, enabling features like real-time data, pricing control, diagnostics, and user access.

Connector - Different types of EV charging connectors, also called plugs, work with different vehicles, charging speeds and locations. Level 2 AC charging uses a J1772 or NACS (Tesla) connector in North America, or a Type 2 plug in Europe. DC fast (Level 3) charging connectors in North America include CHAdeMO, CCS Type 1 (CCS1) and NACS (Tesla). In Europe, DC rapid charging may use the CCS Type 2 (CCS2) connector or CHAdeMO.

Control unit - Control units, such as the Kempower Control Unit, are components or systems that manage and regulate an EV charging process, overseeing power distribution, authentication, billing and communication between the charging station and the EV.

Cooperative Purchasing Agreements: Pre-negotiated contracts that allow organizations to purchase EV charging equipment and services at competitive rates through collective buying power.

CPO - CPO (charge point operator) is a company or organization responsible for operating and managing charging stations, including installation, maintenance and customer support for the charging infrastructure.

CPF50: A compact, wall-mounted Level 2 AC charger from ChargePoint, designed for residential and light commercial use with smart network capabilities.

CT4000: A ChargePoint Level 2 AC charging station series ideal for commercial and public settings, offering dual ports and advanced network features.

CP6000: ChargePoint’s latest commercial Level 2 charger series, designed for durability, scalability, and enhanced user experience in high-traffic locations.

Cybersecurity (EVSE) - Protective measures in hardware and software that prevent cyber threats to EV charging infrastructure and data.

DC Fast Charging (DCFC) -  A high-speed EV charging method using direct current (DC), where electricity flows in one direction directly into the vehicle’s battery. Also known as Level 3 charging, DC fast chargers convert AC power from the grid to DC, significantly reducing charging time compared to AC (Level 1 or 2) charging. Often referred to as DCFC, rapid charging, or DC Quick Charging (DCQC), this method is ideal for public, highway, and fleet charging applications.

Demand Charges - Fees utilities charge based on a site’s peak electricity use, relevant for DC fast charging installations.

Depot charging - Depot charging is the charging of EV fleets at centralized locations (usually during downtime, such as evening hours) and commonly using AC charging infrastructure.

DGS - Department of General Services

Dynamic power management - Dynamic power management optimizes the distribution and allocation of electrical power in real time, dynamically adjusting the electricity flow to balance supply and demand, reduce grid congestion and optimize energy efficiency.

eBus charger - An eBus charger is designed specifically for electric buses (eBuses), delivering high-power charging through various forms, such as depot charging or opportunity chargers placed along bus routes.

Efacec - A global manufacturer of EV charging equipment, known for its high-power DC fast chargers used in public and commercial applications. No longer available in the US. NCC used to carry. 

Electrical Capacity - The maximum amount of electrical power a site can safely supply to equipment like EV chargers, typically measured in kilowatts (kW) or amps.

Electrify America - A nationwide EV charging network in the U.S., offering DC fast charging stations and promoting zero-emission vehicle adoption, originally funded by Volkswagen’s Dieselgate settlement.

Enel X - A global energy solutions provider offering smart EV charging hardware and software, including JuiceBox chargers, with a focus on grid integration and energy management. No longer available in the US. NCC used to carry. 

eTruck charging - An eTruck charger is designed for electric trucks (eTrucks), providing high-power charging that enables electric truck fleets to minimize downtime during long-haul journeys.

EV (electric vehicle) - An EV or electric vehicle runs on electricity. EVs are rapidly becoming the preferred car globally because of cost and environmental benefits. The three types of EVs are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrids.

EV / BEV - EVs (electric vehicles) or BEVs (battery electric vehicles) are automobiles powered by electric motors that use rechargeable batteries or fuel cells for energy storage and supply.

EV charging infrastructure - The full ecosystem supporting electric vehicles, including charging stations, related hardware and software, grid connections, battery production and recycling, and government policies. EV charging infrastructure refers specifically to the network of stations and equipment used to recharge EV batteries.

EV plug - A charging plug – or a charging connector – establishes the electrical connection between EVs and charging stations. EV plugs vary in size and shape, depending on the region and charging standard.

EVBox: A global EV charging solutions provider offering a range of residential, commercial, and fast charging stations, along with cloud-based management software. No longer available in the US. NCC used to carry. 

FedRAMP: The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program—a U.S. government standard that ensures cloud services meet strict security requirements for federal use. ChargePoint is currently the only major EV charging brand that is FedRamp Certified.

FLO: A North American EV charging network and equipment provider known for reliable Level 2 and DC fast chargers, with a strong presence in Canada and parts of the U.S.

Fleet charging - Fleet charging is the process of charging multiple EVs, such as those used by the logistics industry, such as electric trucks or buses, at centralized charging locations.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - Greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are generated by burning fossil fuels. ICE vehicles are a leading cause of GHG emissions. Switching to EVs significantly reduces GHG emissions.

Grid connection - The grid connection links EV charging infrastructure to the electrical grid, enabling the flow of electricity to charge EVs.

Heavy-duty charging - Heavy-duty charging provides high-power charging solutions for the needs of heavy-duty EVs, such as trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles, to rapidly replenish large battery packs.

HETE - HETE (Heavy Electric Traffic Ecosystem) is Kempower’s 5-year R&D initiative co-founded by Business Finland.

High-power charging (HPC) - A form of DC fast charging that delivers significantly more power than standard chargers, enabling EVs to charge much faster—ideal for heavy-duty vehicles or high-traffic locations.

Hybrid - A hybrid vehicle runs on both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a small electric battery. 

ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) - ICE vehicles are old-fashioned cars that run by burning fossil fuels or other liquids (i.e., a gas car). While still the dominant vehicle, they are quickly being replaced by EVs for cost and environmental benefits.

ICEd - When an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle parks in an EV charging spot and prevents an EV driver from charging, an EV driver has been “ICEd.”

Idle Fee - A per-minute charge applied by many EV charging networks when a vehicle stays plugged in after charging is complete—typically following a brief grace period—to encourage drivers to free up the station for others.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, is the largest climate investment in U.S. history, offering major tax credits and funding for clean energy, electric vehicles, and emissions reduction. As of May 2025, while it has spurred significant progress, its future is uncertain due to proposed legislation in the House that could roll back key provisions—putting clean energy momentum at risk.

In-motion charging - In-motion charging enables EVs to charge their batteries while in motion through wireless charging systems embedded in the road surface.

ISO 15118 - An international standard enabling seamless communication between EVs and charging stations (e.g., Plug & Charge).

J1772 - One of the most common connectors is the Level 2 J1772™. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard adopted in North America and Japan.

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation - A U.S. federal entity established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to coordinate efforts between the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation. Its mission is to support the deployment of zero-emission, convenient, and accessible charging and refueling infrastructure across the nation. 

Kempower - A Finnish company specializing in designing and manufacturing DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Kempower offers scalable and modular charging systems suitable for various applications, including public charging, fleets, and heavy-duty vehicles. Their products are known for durability and adaptability in demanding environments.

Kilowatt (kW) - A kilowatt is a measure of power or the rate at which energy is used. Kilowatts influence the speed of EV charging. For example, a 2 kW heater uses 2 kilowatts of power at any given moment it is running.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh) - A kilowatt-hour is a measure of energy use over time and is used to track the amount of energy added to an EV battery while charging. More kWh means more energy for an EV to run on. For example, if you run a 1 kW appliance for 1 hour, it consumes 1 kWh of energy. Similarly, a 2 kW heater running for 3 hours will consume 6 kWh of energy (2 kW * 3 hours = 6 kWh).

Level 1 Charging (L1) - Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V household outlet to deliver power to an EV. Adds approximately 3–5 miles of range per hour. Use Case: Best suited for overnight charging at home with low daily mileage needs (e.g., 20–40 miles/day). National Car Charging does not offer Level 1 charging hardware, as it is not a practical or scalable solution for commercial, fleet, or shared-use environments. Current options are limited, costly, and require drivers to supply their own charging cords—equipment that is both expensive to replace and vulnerable to theft.

Level 2 Charging (L2) - Level 2 charging uses a 240V outlet (like those used for dryers or ovens) and is the most common public and residential EV charging solution. Typically delivers 10–60 miles of range per hour depending on the charger and vehicle. Use Case: Ideal for home, workplace, multifamily housing, hospitality, education campuses, and municipal/public locations.

Level 3 Charging (DC Fast Charging/DCFC) - Level 3 chargers use direct current (DC) to rapidly charge EV batteries, bypassing the vehicle’s onboard charger. Requires 480V+ three-phase power. Can deliver 100–1000+ miles of range per hour, depending on power output and vehicle capacity.