Electric Vehicles GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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AC (Alternating Current): A charge of electricity that
regularly changes direction. This is the most common type of power supplied to
homes and businesses.
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DC (Direct Current): A charge of electricity that flows
in one direction. This is the type of power supplied by a battery.
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EV (Electric Vehicle) or “Battery
Electric Vehicle” (BEV):
These vehicles are solely powered by the electricity stored in batteries – no
fossil fuel emissions are released during operation! These vehicles are highly
efficient as the electric motors convert 85-90% of the energy into turning the
wheels.
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GHG (Greenhouse Gas): Greenhouse gases trap heat in the
atmosphere by absorbing and re-radiating the longwave thermal radiation emitted
by the sun. This process, referred to as the greenhouse effect, causes the
atmosphere’s temperature to increase, consequently increasing the temperature
of the Earth. Common GHGs include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous
oxide (N2O), water vapor (H2O), ozone (O3), and fluorinated gases.
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HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) or
“Hybrid”: Hybrids
are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Each power
source can take turns powering the vehicle as needed leading to improved
efficiency. The electric motor is powered by a small battery charged by both
the engine and the regenerative braking system. Hybrid vehicle batteries cannot
be plugged in and are not charged like EV or PHEVs.
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ICE (Internal Combustion Engine): A fossil fuel-powered engine that
ignites hydrocarbon fuel to release energy. ICE vehicles are only about 25%
efficient at utilizing the stored energy in the fuel to move the vehicle,
meaning that roughly 75% of the energy is lost in the form of heat and noise.
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kW (Kilowatt): A unit of electric power.
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kWh (Kilowatt-hour): A unit of electric energy. The
amount of electric energy stored in an EV battery is typically measured in
kilowatt-hours.
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Level 1 Charging: Charging an EV using a common
household outlet up to 120 volts. This is the slowest method of charging and
can take up to 9-12 hours or more to fully charge an EV.
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Level 2 Charging: Charging your EV using an
installed charging station at 240 volts. Level 2 charging stations are what
most EV manufacturers recommend to EV owners when charging the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle and charger, Level 2 charging can fully charge an EV
within 5-10 hours for BEVs, and 2-4 hours for PHEVs, which works great for
overnight charging.
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Level 3 Charging: Also known as “DC fast charging”
or “DCFC”,this is the fastest method of charging for all EVs as it uses more
power and a higher voltage than Level 2. Level 3 charging can charge an EV
battery to 80% in about 30 minutes or less. Level 3 charging currently only
works with specific types of EVs and are uncommon considering that they’re more
expensive and require more powerthan Level 2 charging. Level 3 charging helps
charge EVs quickly during road trips that exceed an EV’s total range.
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Networked Charging Stations: EV charging stations with the
ability to communicate to other stations and/or to a server or the cloud
through a cellular or wireless signalto report or usage, display real-time
charging status, allow for remote troubleshooting, facilitate pay-for-use
charging, and more.
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PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle): PHEVs
are like HEVs but have larger batteries that can be plugged in forrecharging.
Most PHEVs can function as a BEV for short commutes between 25-75 kilometres
before the ICE turns on to provide additional range. Some PHEVs have a large
enough battery to complete most trips on electricity only.
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Regenerative Braking: Regenerative braking is a method
that slows a moving EV by capturing and storing kinetic energy as electrical
energy. As a result, regenerative braking extends the EV driving range and
reduces brake wear leading to less frequent and less costly maintenance
repairs. In typical ICE vehicles, this energy is wasted in the form of friction
and heat.