Electric vehicles use a range of technical terms and acronyms. Here’s a simple guide to some of the most common ones.

  • AC (Alternating Current) – This is the type of electricity supplied to homes, schools and most workplaces. AC charging is typically used for overnight charging using a wallbox or charging point. The vehicle’s onboard charger converts the AC electricity into DC to charge the battery.
  • DC (Direct Current) – DC charging is much faster because the electricity is converted before it reaches the vehicle, bypassing the onboard charger. Often referred to as rapid or ultra-rapid charging, DC chargers are commonly found at motorway services and public charging hubs.
  • kW (Kilowatt) – A kilowatt measures charging power. The higher the kW rating, the faster the battery can be charged, provided the vehicle is capable of accepting that rate. For example, an 11kW charger will charge more slowly than a 50kW or 150kW rapid charger.
  • kWh (Kilowatt-hour) – Don’t confuse this with kW. A kilowatt-hour measures the amount of energy a battery can store, rather like the size of a fuel tank. A larger battery (higher kWh) generally provides a longer driving range, although factors such as vehicle weight, driving style, and weather conditions also affect how far you can travel.
  • CCS (Combined Charging System) – The most common rapid charging connector used by electric vans and minibuses across the UK and Europe. CCS allows both AC and DC charging through the same socket, making it the standard for most modern electric minibuses.
  • Type 2 Connector – The standard plug used for AC charging in the UK and Europe. Most schools and organisations with onsite chargers will use a Type 2 connection for everyday charging. Save
  • State of Charge (SoC) – Expressed as a percentage, this shows how much battery capacity remains. An SoC of 80% means the battery is 80% charged.
  • Range – The estimated distance an electric minibus can travel on a full battery. Real-world range will vary depending on passenger numbers, terrain, outside temperature, use of heating or air conditioning and driving style.
  • Regenerative Braking – A system that recovers energy when the driver slows down or brakes, sending it back to the battery to help extend the vehicle’s range and preserve brake pads and disks.