Glossary, Definitions & Terminology Related to EV & Charging
This page summarises glossary of important terms, relevant definitions and basic Terminology used in context of EV Charging in India:
Basic EV Charging Terminology:
Electric Vehicle (EV): Electric Vehicles (EVs) are run by electric motors which are powered by energy stored in batteries. EVs have an electric motor instead of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). As an EV runs on electricity, the vehicle emits no exhaust from a tailpipe i.e. it has zero tail pipe emission and does not contain components, such as a fuel pump, fuel line, or fuel tank. | Read Ahead: Different types of EVs
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment(EVSE): An EVSE supplies electrical energy to charge EVs. The EVSE system includes electrical conductors, related equipment, software, and communications protocols that deliver energy efficiently to electric vehicle. As per Ministry of Power guidelines, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) shall mean an element in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that supplies electric energy for recharging the battery of electric vehicles.
Central Management System (CMS): An intelligent back-end solution that enables real-time data sharing between the electric vehicle, its charger and the charge-point operator. The Central Management System also called as Charging Management Software or Charging Station Management Software is the technology stack that allows Charge Point Operators (CPO’s) to operate & manage their charging stations.
Charge point operator (CPO): An entity that installs and manages the operations of the charging infrastructure. A CPO may own the charging infrastructure or provide services on behalf of the charge point owner.
Public Charging Station (PCS): An EV charging station where any electric vehicle can get its battery recharged.
Battery Charging Station (BCS): BCS are stations where the discharged or partially discharged electric batteries for electric vehicles are electrically recharged. For all practical purposes, Battery Charging Station (BCS) shall be treated at par with Public Charging Station (PCS), and the applicable tariff for electricity supply shall also be same as for PCS.
Captive Charging Station (CCS): An electric vehicle charging station exclusively for the electric vehicles owned or under the control of the owner of the charging station e.g. Government Departments, Corporate houses, Bus Depots, charging stations owned by the fleet owners etc. and shall not be used for commercial purpose.
Battery Swapping Station (BSS): BSS are stations where any electric vehicle can get its discharged battery or partially charged battery replaced by a charged battery.
Different types of EV Charging Standards:
| EV Charger | Output Type | Power Output | Input Voltage | No. of Guns | Socket Type | Compatible with EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEV AC | AC charger | 3.3 KW | 230 V AC, Single Phase, 50 Hz | 1 | IS-60309 | 2W, 3W, legacy/first era 4W (Tata Tigor, Mahindra e-Verito, Mahindra e20) and advanced 4W models (using portable charger provided by OEMs). |
| Bharat AC001 | AC charger | 3*3.3 KW | 415V, three phase AC | 3 | IS-60309 | 2W, 3W, legacy/first era 4W and advanced 4W models (using portable charger provided by OEMs) |
| Type 2 AC | AC charger | 7.4 and 22KW | 7.4 KW – 230V, single phase AC & 22 KW – 415V, three phase AC | 1 | IS-17017-2-2 | Capable of charging legacy 4W as well as most of the existing and future EV models |
| Bharat DC 001 | DC charger | 10KW/15KW | 415V, three phase AC | 1 or 2 | GB/ T 20234.3 | Capable of charging Tata Tigor EV, Mahindra e-Verito, small buses and vans |
| CCS | DC charger | 25-150KW | 415V, three phase AC | 1 | IS-17017-2-3, Configuration FF | Tata Nexon, Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV Used by several manufacturers – Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, MG, Jaguar, Mini, Peugeot, Vauxhall / Opel, Citroen, Nissan, and VW Vehicles with CCS connectors can be charged using Type 2 AC connectors as well |
| CHAdeMO | DC charger | 25-150KW | 415V, three phase AC | 1 | IS-17017-2-3, | Used by Japanese car manufacturers |
- Note: Most EVs have an on-board charger that converts AC current to DC current as all batteries require DC power to charge. None of the existing and upcoming models in India have an on-board charger that has capacity to utilize a 22 KW AC charging.