EV basics – units, short terms…

🔋 Core Units & Measurements

  • Battery capacity → measured in kWh (kilowatt-hours)
    • Example: Tesla Model Y Long Range ~75 kWh.
    • Think of it like the “fuel tank size.”
  • Charging power (AC/DC) → measured in kW (kilowatts)
    • AC home charger: 11 kW (typical 3-phase in Europe).
    • DC fast charger: 150–350 kW.
  • Charging speed → often expressed as km (or miles) per hour of charging or 10–80% charge time.
  • Consumption / Efficiency → measured in:
    • Wh/km (Europe, e.g. 160 Wh/km)
    • kWh/100 km (Europe, e.g. 16 kWh/100 km)
    • mi/kWh (US, e.g. 4.0 mi/kWh).
  • Range → usually given in km or miles (WLTP/EPA rated).

⚡ Charging Units

  • Voltage (V): 400 V or 800 V system → affects charging speed.
  • Amperage (A): Current flow; kW = V × A / 1000.
  • State of Charge (SoC): % of battery filled (like fuel gauge).

🏷️ Common EV Short Terms

  • SOCState of Charge (% battery filled).
  • WLTPWorldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (European standard test cycle for range).
  • EPA range → US Environmental Protection Agency test cycle (often shorter/more realistic than WLTP).
  • AC charging → Slower charging (home/workplace, 1- or 3-phase).
  • DC charging → Fast charging at public stations.
  • V2X → Vehicle-to-Everything (V2G = Vehicle-to-Grid, V2H = Vehicle-to-Home, V2L = Vehicle-to-Load).
  • CCS → Combined Charging System (standard connector in EU/US).
  • CHAdeMO → Older Japanese DC fast-charging standard.
  • kWh/100 km → Efficiency measure in Europe.
  • Wh/km → Direct consumption figure (often used in engineering contexts).
  • PHEV → Plug-in Hybrid EV.
  • BEV → Battery Electric Vehicle (fully electric).
  • HEV → Hybrid Electric Vehicle (not plug-in).
  • regenRegenerative braking (recovers energy when slowing down).

🚗 Example Put Together

👉 Tesla Model Y Long Range

  • Battery: ~75 kWh
  • Consumption: ~16 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
  • Range: ~533 km WLTP / ~330 mi EPA
  • Charging:
    • AC: 11 kW (0–100% overnight at home)
    • DC: up to 250 kW (10–80% in ~25 min)
  • SOC: 20–80% recommended for daily use.