Electric Vehicle Industry Acronyms 101

The electric vehicle industry is a rapidly evolving field that is transforming the way we think about transportation. As the industry has grown, so too has the number of acronyms that are used to describe the various technologies and concepts involved. In this article, we will explore some of the most common acronyms used in the electric vehicle industry.

EV - Electric Vehicle

EV is the most basic and fundamental acronym in the electric vehicle industry. It refers to any vehicle that uses electricity as its primary source of power instead of fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel.

EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

EVSE is a protocol to help keep you and your electric car safe while charging.?Using?two-way communication between the charger and car, the correct charging current is set based on the maximum current the charger can provide as well as the maximum current the car can receive. As part of the protocol, a safety lock-out exists, preventing current from flowing when the charger is not connected to the car.?It ensures that if a cable is not correctly inserted, power will not flow through it. EVSE can also detect hardware faults, disconnecting the power and preventing battery damage, electrical shorts or worse still, fire.??

PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

PHEV refers to a type of hybrid electric vehicle that can be charged by plugging it into an electrical outlet. Unlike traditional hybrids, which rely solely on a gasoline engine and regenerative braking to charge the battery, PHEVs have larger batteries that can be charged using external power sources.

BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle

BEV refers to an electric vehicle that runs entirely on electricity from a battery. BEVs do not have any internal combustion engines and can only be powered by an electric motor.

HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle

HEV refers to a type of electric vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a battery that is charged by the engine or through regenerative braking.

FCV - Fuel Cell Vehicle

FCV refers to an electric vehicle that uses a fuel cell to generate electricity. The fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with the only byproduct being water. FCVs are currently less common than other types of electric vehicles due to the high cost of producing and distributing hydrogen fuel.

Li-ion - Lithium-ion

Li-ion refers to a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in electric vehicles. Li-ion batteries have a high energy density, which means they can store a lot of energy in a small space.

LFP - Lithium Iron Phosphate

Lithium iron phosphate, LiFePO4 or LFP battery is a type of lithium-ion battery using lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material, and a graphitic carbon electrode with a metallic backing as the anode.

DCFC - Direct Current Fast Charger

DCFC refers to a type of electric vehicle charging station that can charge a battery quickly using direct current (DC) power. DCFC stations are often found along highways and in public spaces, where EV drivers need to charge their vehicles quickly.

AC - Alternating Current

AC refers to the type of electricity used in most homes and buildings. AC power is used to charge electric vehicles, either through a standard wall outlet or a dedicated charging station.

ICE - Internal Combustion Engine

ICE refers to the type of engine found in traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. ICEs use fossil fuels to power a series of internal explosions, which turn a crankshaft and ultimately propel the vehicle forward.

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer

OEM refers to the companies that design and manufacture vehicles, components, and systems used in electric vehicles. Some well-known EV OEMs include Tesla, Nissan, and BMW.

BMS - Battery Management System

BMS refers to a system that manages the charging and discharging of a battery in an electric vehicle. The BMS helps to extend the life of the battery by preventing overcharging and over-discharging.

^ The above is a high level introduction to common acronyms we see in the EV industry, but it certainly does not cover everything.

The electric vehicle industry is a complex and rapidly changing industry, and the acronyms used to describe its various technologies and concepts can be overwhelming. By understanding some of the most common acronyms, you can better navigate this exciting and transformative industry.

The Future is Electric! The Future is Now! ?

Keep climbing! ????