E-mobility terms

A vehicle powered by one or more electric motors that draw their energy from a battery or fuel cell. Electric cars emit no CO2 or other pollutants and are quiet, efficient and low-maintenance. There are different types of electric cars, such as battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV) or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV).

The energy storage unit of an electric car, which consists of several battery cells arranged in modules and packs. The battery is the most expensive and heaviest component of an electric car and has a decisive influence on the range, charging time and service life of the vehicle. The most common battery types are lithium-ion batteries, which have a high energy density, cycle stability and safety.

A device that charges an electric car or the battery with electrical energy. Charging stations can be differentiated according to power, plug type, charging mode and billing system. There are various providers of charging stations that provide public or private charging infrastructure. The most common charging stations are wall boxes for at home or at work, charging stations for parking lots or roadsides and fast charging stations for highways or long distances.

A cable that connects the electric car to the charging station. Charging cables can be differentiated according to plug type, charging mode and power. The most common plug types are type 1 (single-phase up to 7.4 kW), type 2 (single-phase or three-phase up to 43 kW) and CCS (Combined Charging System, single-phase or three-phase up to 350 kW). Charging cables can be permanently attached to the charging station or carried around.

The distance an electric car can travel on a full battery charge, measured in kilometers (km). The range depends on various factors, such as the vehicle's fuel consumption, driving style, topography, weather conditions and the use of air conditioning or heating. The range can vary depending on the measurement method. The most common measurement methods are NEDC (New European Driving Cycle), WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Charging an electric car with alternating current (AC), as it comes from the normal power grid. AC charging is the most common form of charging at home or at work. The maximum AC charging power is 43 kW (three-phase) or 7.4 kW (single-phase). To charge the battery with AC, the electric car requires a built-in inverter that converts the alternating current into direct current (DC).

Charging an electric car with direct current (DC) as it comes from an external source. DC charging is the fastest form of charging, which is particularly suitable for long distances or emergencies. The maximum DC charging power is 350 kW (CCS) or 150 kW (CHAdeMO). The electric car does not need an inverter to charge the battery with DC, as the direct current flows directly into the battery.

The ability of an electric car not only to fill up with electricity, but also to feed it back into the grid. Bidirectional charging makes it possible for the electric car to be used as a mobile energy storage system, allowing it to both absorb and release electricity. Bidirectional charging requires special hardware and software as well as intelligent control of the power flow.