34 EV charging abbreviations you need to know

Most industries, from science to healthcare to marketing, are chock full of acronyms, to the point where reading or listening to anything related to the industry can be mystifying to anyone on the “outside”.

The electric vehicle industry is no exception. In fact, abbreviations are so common in this industry that we were able to create an entire article out of them.

Whether you’re new to the world of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging (or you’ve been around for a while and are, at this point, too afraid to ask), we hope that this list helps you understand more about the world of electric vehicles.

The most common EV abbreviations and what they mean

In a hurry? Click on the abbreviations to jump to the definition.

AC (Alternative current)

This type of charging is useful for charging electric vehicles at different speeds through an alternating current. Electric vehicle charging always comes out as AC. With an AC charger, the power is converted to DC by the vehicle itself. This type of charging is economical but takes longer. 

Typical AC charging powers are 3.7kW, 11kW, 22kW (the higher, the faster). However, note that AC charging speed is not only dependent on the charging device capabilities; charging speed is also defined by the vehicle's AC charger. 

API (Application Programming Interface)

APN (Access Point Name)

An Access Point Name (APN) is a network identifier used by cellular devices—such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations equipped with SIM cards—to connect securely to the internet or a private network via mobile data.

an APN is crucial for enabling charging stations to:

• Communicate with a Charge Point Management System (CPMS)
• Transmit real-time data (status, usage, diagnostics)
• Receive remote commands and software updates
• Enable secure transactions and user authentication

By configuring a dedicated APN, operators can ensure secure, reliable, and private data communication between charging stations and backend systems, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.

BEV (Battery electric vehicle)

BEVs are a type of electric car that exclusively get their energy from rechargeable battery packs. BEVs do not have an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank, or a fuel cell. 

CAPEX (CApital EXpenditure)

CAPEX is short for Capital Expenditure, a term that refers to financial investment in infrastructure. These capital expenditures are contrasted with operating expenditures (OPEX).

CCS (Combined charging system)

It offers both AC and DC charging on the same port and provides power of up to 350kW. This is the industry-standard method for public charging stations and also home charging set-ups in Europe and America. It may also be called a “combo plug”. 

CHAdeMO (CHArge de MOve)

Contraction of CHArge de MOve, CHAdeMo is a fast (DC) charging technology. The expression finds its roots in the following Japanese sentence: “O cha demo ikaga desuka”, which translates into “would you like a cup of tea?”. The reference to tea is here to remind us that it takes very little time to charge the battery of a CHAdeMO vehicle.

CPM (Charging point manager)

This refers to a type of software responsible for smart charging, i.e., allocating power to different electric vehicles to make sure that each one charges as quickly as possible. It relies on customisable algorithms to work efficiently. 

CPMS (Charging Point Management System)

A Charge Point Management System (CPMS) is a software platform that enables the remote monitoring, management, and optimization of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The CPMS provides operators and owners with real-time data on station status, energy consumption, user activity, and revenue.

Key features of a CPMS typically include:

• Remote control and diagnostics of charging points
• User authentication and access management
• Billing and payment processing
• Smart charging capabilities (load balancing, scheduling)
• Reporting and analytics
• Integration with other mobility and energy systems

A robust CPMS is essential for both charging point operators (CPOs) and charging station owners (CSOs) to ensure efficient, reliable, and scalable EV charging operations.

CPO (Charging Point Operator / Charging Point Owner)

A Charging Point Operator (CPO) is an entity responsible for the day-to-day operation, management, and maintenance of electric vehicle (EV) charging points. The CPO ensures that charging stations are functional, available, and integrated with digital platforms for monitoring and support. Their responsibilities include managing uptime, handling user support, and implementing smart charging solutions.

It’s important to note that the terms charging point operator and charging point owner are increasingly distinct:

• The charging point operator focuses on operating and maintaining the infrastructure, regardless of ownership.
• The charging point owner (sometimes also called CPO) is the entity that owns the physical charging equipment and may or may not be involved in its operation.

In many cases, the owner outsources operations to a specialist operator, but sometimes a single entity fulfills both roles.

CSO (Charging Station Owner)

A Charging Station Owner (CSO) is the entity that owns the physical charging station, invests the capital for its installation, pays the energy bills, and controls the location and pricing. The CSO may choose to operate the station directly or outsource daily operations to a CPO.

DC (Direct current)

DC is one of the two types of ‘fuel’ that can be used to power electric vehicles. Unlike AC charging, converted into DC power by the car, DC charging can convert the AC power into DC right in the plug itself. DC chargers are larger, more expensive, but faster. It will be more common at public charging stations, such as at a rest stop charge point.

DLM (Dynamic Load Management)

Dynamic Load Management (or DLM) refers to an EV charging technology that makes it possible to evenly distribute the electricity to all the vehicles that might be plugged simultaneously. In other words, DLM optimises charging speed and prevents all grid congestion episodes.

DNS (Domain Name System)

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a fundamental internet service that translates human-readable domain names (like chargingstation.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses.

In the EV sector, DNS is essential for:

• Connecting charging stations to backend systems: When a charging station needs to communicate with a Charge Point Management System (CPMS) or other cloud services, it uses DNS to locate and connect to the correct servers.
• Ensuring reliable remote management: DNS enables operators to update or change server addresses without reconfiguring every charging station, supporting seamless software updates and maintenance.
• Supporting secure and scalable infrastructure: By using DNS, operators can manage large networks of charging stations efficiently and securely, even as the network grows or changes.

In summary, DNS acts as the “address book” of the internet for EV charging infrastructure, enabling smooth and reliable communication between devices and platforms.

DSO (Distribution system operator)

A Distribution System Operator (DSO) is an organization responsible for operating, maintaining, and developing the local electricity distribution network that delivers power from the transmission system to homes, businesses, and charging stations.

DSOs role :

• Ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity to EV charging stations and end-users
• Managing local grid stability and capacity as EV charging demand increases
• Collaborating with charging infrastructure operators to support smart charging and demand response
• Facilitating the integration of distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and battery storage, into the local grid

EMP (Electro-mobility provider)

An EMP is a company or service that provides customers access to an electric vehicle charging network. They will often offer a tracking service such as an app or digital platform for evaluating the availability of charging stations. EMPs are also responsible for determining the price of electric vehicle charging. 

EMPs are responsible for providing users with access to a network of charging stations, managing user authentication, billing, and payment processing and facilitating roaming agreements.

EMPs play a crucial role in making EV charging convenient, accessible, and user-friendly, supporting the widespread adoption of electric mobility.

EMSP (Electro-mobility service provider)

EMSP is simply another way to say EMP (electro-mobility provider). 

EV (Electric vehicle)

EV stands for electric vehicles (or electric cars). EVs are equipped with a battery-powered motor instead of a traditional internal combustion engine. Contrary to PHEVs and HEVs, EVs do not have a gasoline tank and output zero tailpipe emissions. They are associated with a lower carbon footprint than traditional vehicle types.

EVSE (Electric vehicle supply equipment)

EVSE refers to equipment that exists to supply electrical energy for charging electric vehicles. It can be residential (such as an at-home charger) or commercial (such as chargers at malls, workplaces, rest stops, etc.).

GHG (Greenhouse gas)

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap the sun’s heat and warm the Earth, contributing to climate change. The Earth’s most common greenhouse gases are ozone, nitrous oxide, water vapour, methane, and carbon dioxide. Cars with internal combustion engines emit greenhouse gases through their tailpipe.

HEV (Hybrid electric vehicle)

HEVs use both electric batteries and gasoline. More often than not, the electric motor is here to assist the internal combustion engine, during the acceleration phases, for instance. Note that HEVs cannot be plugged into regular EV charging stations. Batteries replenish themselves via the energy generated by the combustion engine or via regenerative braking.

ICE (Internal combustion engine)

Internal combustion engines use liquid fuel (gasoline) to create energy to power traditional vehicles. ICE cars are the most common vehicle on the road (although an increase in EV infrastructure means electric cars are becoming more accessible). 

kW (kilowatt)

kW is a measurement unit used to determine how much power an electrical appliance consumes. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.

kW is used to indicate the charging power of a charging station or determine how quickly an EV battery can be charged. 

kWh (Kilowatt-hour)

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) defines the amount of energy that is required to power an electrical appliance for one hour. One kWh equals the energy used by a device drawing 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt) for one hour.

kWh is used to:

• Measure the capacity of an electric vehicle’s battery (e.g., a 60 kWh battery)
• Indicate the amount of energy delivered during a charging session
• Calculate charging costs and driving range (e.g., how many kilometers an EV can travel per kWh)

Understanding kWh is essential for comparing EV models, estimating charging needs, and managing energy consumption.

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open, standardized communication protocol that enables interoperability between electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and central management systems, such as Charge Point Management Systems (CPMS).

OCPP is essential because it:

• Allows charging stations from different manufacturers to communicate with various backend systems
• Supports remote monitoring, control, diagnostics, and firmware updates
• Facilitates seamless integration and scalability for operators and owners
• Promotes a competitive and flexible EV charging ecosystem by avoiding vendor lock-in

OCPP is widely adopted globally and is a key enabler for open, interoperable, and future-proof EV charging infrastructure.

OSCP (Open Smart Charging Protocol)

The Open Smart Charging Protocol (OSCP) is an open communication protocol designed to facilitate smart charging of electric vehicles (EVs) by enabling real-time information exchange between charging infrastructure and energy grid operators.

OSCP is important because it:

• Allows charging stations and management systems to receive forecasts about available grid capacity
• Enables dynamic adjustment of charging power based on grid conditions, helping to balance energy demand and supply
• Supports integration with renewable energy sources and demand response programs
• Helps prevent grid overloads and optimizes energy costs for both operators and end-users

By using OSCP, operators can implement advanced smart charging strategies that benefit the entire energy ecosystem, making EV charging more efficient, sustainable, and grid-friendly.

PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)

PHEVs rely on both electric batteries as well as gasoline to power an ICE. These vehicles run on electrical power until the battery is depleted and automatically switch to the ICE. Charging hybrids can also be plugged in to charge their engine. 

RFID (Radio-frequency identification)

RFID (Radio-frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and authenticate users or equipment, such as a charging station. 

In EV charging, RFID links a physical card or key to a driver's account. It is a quick and easy way to start and stop a charging session with a simple tap on the charger, securely authenticating the user.

RFID is widely used for:

• User authentication at charging stations: EV drivers use RFID cards or key fobs to start and stop charging sessions securely.
• Access control: Only authorized users can activate charging points, improving security and tracking usage.
• Seamless roaming: RFID cards can often be used across different charging networks, enabling interoperability and convenience for drivers.

RFID technology supports both private and public charging needs.

TSO (Transmission system operator)

TSO is a term defined by the European Commission that describes an organisation in charge of transporting energy and maintaining the infrastructure for transporting energy.

V2B (Vehicle-to-building)

Vehicle-to-building is a technology that lessens a building’s energy consumption by drawing on the untapped energy of multiple idle electric vehicles. 

V2B allows buildings to use EVs as mobile energy storage, helping to:

• Reduce peak electricity demand and energy costs
• Provide backup power during outages
• Integrate renewable energy sources more effectively

V2B enhances energy flexibility and resilience for commercial and residential buildings.

V2G (Vehicle-to-grid)

V2G is a new smart charging technology that can push the energy stored in electric cars’ batteries back to the power grid. As we’re increasingly relying on renewable energies to power the grid, V2G is the technology that will stabilise the grid when the energy produced via renewable solar or wind sources can’t meet the demand.

V2G enables:

• Grid balancing by providing stored energy during peak demand or absorbing excess energy during low demand
• Support for renewable energy integration
• New revenue streams for EV owners through grid services

V2H (Vehicle-to-home)

A technology that allows the battery of an electric vehicle to power an entire home (or other building of similar size). This is a bi-directional system with the power to convert energy between AC supply and electric car battery. 

V2H can:

• Provide backup power during outages
• Reduce household electricity costs by using stored energy during expensive peak periods
• Enhance self-consumption of renewable energy (e.g., solar)

V2X (Vehicle-to-everything)

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) is a technology that allows the battery of an electric car to provide general backup power in the case of an outage. 

V2X includes V2G, V2B, and V2H, and extends to:

• Communication with smart devices and infrastructure
• Supporting broader energy and mobility ecosystems

V2X maximizes the value and flexibility of EVs, making them integral to smart cities and future energy systems.

Web OTP (One- time payment)

Web OTP (One-Time Payment) refers to a digital payment method that allows electric vehicle (EV) drivers to pay for a single charging session without needing to register or create an account with the charging service provider.

Web OTP is important because it:

• Enables seamless, ad-hoc access to charging stations for all users, including those without subscriptions
• Improves user experience by allowing quick and easy payments via web interfaces, often using QR codes or NFC tags at the charging point
• Supports a variety of payment options, such as credit cards, mobile wallets, or direct bank transfers
• Helps operators comply with regulations that require open and non-discriminatory access to public charging infrastructure

Web OTP solutions encourage wider adoption of electric mobility.

Navigate the charging ecosystem with confidence

Whether you are an industry professional or a fleet manager, mastering these 34 acronyms will greatly facilitate your understanding of the electric charging ecosystem.

As the electric mobility industry is evolving rapidly, new terms will inevitably emerge. This glossary will help you decode future innovations and participate fully in tomorrow's technical discussions.