Cars used to be only about combustion engines and how much liquid fuel was in the tank, but those days are over.
Electric cars are now a real alternative and buying one can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
The automotive industry is making it increasingly easier for buyers by expanding the number of models on offer, boosting range and charging speed. Most importantly of all, prices are falling. On top of that, some countries are offering cash incentives to buy one.
However, the switch to an electric vehicle means learning a new vocabulary because the new technology brings with it a host of new terms.
If you fail to grasp a few basic terms, even choosing a car can be a frustrating experience — and who wants to be clueless during small talk at the charging point.
Drawing on information from motoring clubs, specialist publications, industry experts and energy suppliers, we have compiled a glossary designed to make the transition to Generation E easier.
All of these will help you decide if an electric car fits in with your lifestyle.
B is for Battery
It may seem obvious, but the most important difference is that what used to be the petrol tank is now the battery – the energy storage unit of the electric car. Composed of individual cells and housed in a crash-proof casing, it supplies power to the electric motors.
The larger its capacity, the greater the driving range. The higher the charging power, the shorter the stops at the socket. The condition of the battery and the charging process are monitored by the battery management system.
More range costs more, so the decision to switch to an electric (and which model you pick) will largely depend on how many kilometres you drive during the week and at weekends, plus if you have access to convenient charging locations.
B is also for bi-directional charging
More and more batteries are capable not only of supplying power to the vehicle’s drive system, but also of supplying power to other devices via a mains socket. This turns the car into a power bank on wheels. Depending on the car’s specifications, the mains connection and the home’s electrical system, this function can also be used at home to store solar power or provide an emergency power supply in the event of a power cut.
C is for CCS, the Combined Charging System
The CCS is the fast-charging plug that complies with EU standards and is the most common connector found on the vast majority of charging points. Alternatively, some manufacturers still use the Chademo standard. The name is an abbreviation of "Charge de Move". Older Tesla models have their own proprietary connector, which dates back to the days of the company's exclusive charging network.
D is for DC, or direct current
While the mains supply in your home carries alternating current, public chargers are usually powered by direct current. This is what makes so-called fast charging possible. If the car is compatible, this often means you can recharge your car in a fraction of the time.
E for electric motor
This is the heart of the drive system and uses rotating magnetic fields to generate motion, which is then transmitted to the wheels.
You may come across cars with "permanently excited synchronous motors" (PSM) and "separately excited asynchronous motors" (ASM).
The advantages of PSMs are higher power density and greater efficiency. However, they are more expensive and require rare earth elements. An ASM is more robust, cheaper and has a freewheel when switched off.
F for Frunk
Where conventional cars have their engine, electric cars often have space for a second storage compartment. This is known as a frunk (a portmanteau of front and trunk). Depending on the model, they can hold anything from just the charging cable to a whole travel bag.
H for High-Power Charging
In the race to achieve the shortest possible charging times, the industry is turning to so-called high-power chargers, which deliver particularly high power outputs. Initially, they reached figures in excess of 150 kW. The best ones now manage up to 600 kW, and manufacturers such as BYD and Mercedes subsidiary AMG have already announced so-called megawatt chargers with four-figure power outputs. They are said to provide enough energy for 500 kilometres or more in just a few minutes.
But beware: just because the figures are high, it does not always mean high output. The car itself can also be the limiting factor. And when several vehicles are connected to a single charging point or in a charging park, the maximum charging power is often throttled and distributed evenly.
I is for inductive charging
Smartphones and electric toothbrushes have long been able to charge wirelessly by placing them on so-called charging pads. With cars, this is only just starting to take off. The Porsche Cayenne is the first electric car to feature this technology. If you install a compatible charging pad in your parking space and park with sufficient precision, you no longer need to plug in a cable – though you will need a bit more patience. The maximum charging power is then 11 kW.
K is for kilowatts
Kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) are the key units of measurement in electric mobility. Kilowatts measure power output, both for the motor and during charging. Kilowatt hours measure the battery’s capacity.
M is for megawatt charging
This is the latest trend in charging for vehicles with power outputs exceeding 1,000 kW. Truck manufacturers such as Daimler Truck are adopting this technology for models like the eActros, and car manufacturers such as BYD and Mercedes-AMG are also among the first to do so. (see H)
O for One-Pedal Driving
Depending on how it's set up, an electric car can recover kinetic energy while driving. The electric motors then act as generators, drawing enough power to create resistance that slows the car down without the need for the mechanical brake. As you simply need to lift your foot off the accelerator and, provided you’re looking ahead, no longer need to press the brake pedal, you can effectively drive the car using just one pedal.
R for Regeneration
This is the term used to describe energy recovery when the motor acts as a generator, converting kinetic energy back into electrical energy and using that energy alone to slow the vehicle down. This is one reason why electric cars are more efficient than combustion-engine vehicles. In the best cars, energy recovery can reach up to 600 kW, and models such as the new BMW iX3 only need the mechanical brakes in an emergency.
S for SoC, the State of Charge
This percentage indicates how full the battery currently is and thus also provides information about the remaining range. In other words, state of charge.
V for Volt
A physical quantity representing electrical voltage. In electric cars, this usually refers to the battery. While a conventional starter battery has 12 volts, 400 volts is now almost always the minimum standard for driving. Advanced cars have 800 volts, and the first models from China already have 1,000 volts. Why is this important? Because charging power correlates with operating voltage. High voltages are necessary for quick charging stops.
W for Wallbox
This is the name given to the mostly private charging stations that are mounted on the wall at home. Drawing power from an alternating current in the home’s mains supply, they typically offer charging capacities of 11 kW, and sometimes 22 kW.
