If you’ve ever looked into electric vehicles and come across terms like kWh, CCS2 or OCPP, you’ve probably wondered why it all sounds more complicated than it should be.
Like any new technology, the EV world has built its own language; one made up of technical terms, acronyms, and charging lingo that can be hard to keep up with. But once you know what they mean, everything starts to connect. The technology feels simpler, the systems make more sense, and the idea of driving electric becomes a lot more accessible.
Whether you’re exploring your first EV, managing a business fleet, or just curious about what’s powering the shift to cleaner transport, this guide breaks it all down. No jargon. Just the language that keeps Australia charging forward, and helps you connect with the electric future.
Under the Hood: EV Basics
Diagnosing the problem: Through our technical control over both sites, session insights via CORE and Illuminate, and our dedicated team of technicians and software engineers, JET Charge was able to diagnose the problem swiftly and with minimal disruption to bus service.
EV
Short for Electric Vehicle. Any vehicle powered by an electric motor, either fully or partially. EVs can run entirely on electricity (like a BEV) or combine electric power with an internal combustion engine (like a hybrid).
Fully electric EVs are simpler under the hood than petrol cars, with fewer moving parts and lower running costs. Hybrids, on the other hand, combine both electric and combustion systems, they’re more complex mechanically but can save fuel and reduce emissions overall.
While battery production is energy-intensive upfront, electric vehicles quickly offset that footprint through lower lifetime emissions and greater energy efficiency – benefits that scale from one driveway to entire fleets.
BEV
Battery Electric Vehicle. Essentially the same as ‘EV’, but more specific: it means the car is 100% electric. No hybrid engine, no fuel tank, just a battery and an electric motor.
BEVs are the foundation of the electric transition. They pair perfectly with renewable energy and smart charging systems, helping households and businesses truly cut emissions.
PHEV
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Uses both electricity and fuel. You can plug it in to charge the battery, but it will switch to petrol once that charge runs out. PHEVs are often a stepping stone, great for drivers who want to reduce fuel use without going fully electric.
HEV
Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Similar to a PHEV, but without plug-in capability. It relies on regenerative braking and the engine itself to recharge its battery.
kW vs kWh
They sound similar, but they measure different things:
- kW (kilowatt) = power: how fast energy flows.
- kWh (kilowatt-hour) = energy: how much capacity a battery holds.
If your charger delivers 7kW for two hours, you’ve added roughly 14kWh to your battery. Knowing the difference helps you estimate charging times and compare charger performance.
Powering Up: Types of Charging
AC Charging
Alternating Current (AC) is the same electricity that powers your home and office. It’s slower than DC, but perfect for overnight charging or sites where vehicles park for hours. Because EVs convert AC to DC internally through what’s called an Onboard Charger (OBC), the OBC’s capacity limits charging speed. That’s why two wallboxes might look identical but charge at different rates depending on the vehicle.
DC Charging
Direct Current (DC) power goes straight to the battery, bypassing the vehicle’s converter. It’s faster and ideal for highways, depots, and commercial hubs (Think: 15–45 minutes of charging). DC chargers are powerful but and designed for quick turnarounds, not daily top-ups.
Trickle Charging (Level 1)
The slowest form of charging, using a standard household outlet. Handy in a pinch, say you’re visiting family or need an emergency top-up overnight, but not recommended long-term. Domestic sockets aren’t designed for continuous high current. Over time, they can overheat or deliver inconsistent charging. A dedicated wall charger is always safer, smarter, and faster.
Fast Charging (Level 2)
Your everyday home or workplace charger, typically 7 to 22kW. Quick enough for a full charge while you sleep or work. This is the sweet spot for most Australians. It balances convenience, battery care, and energy efficiency and can integrate easily with solar systems or off-peak tariffs.
Rapid Charging (Level 3)
These are the high-powered DC stations you’ll see on highways and commercial sites, usually 50kW and above. Rapid charging is essential for long-distance travel and logistics operations. While it can slightly increase battery wear over time, modern EVs are designed to manage the heat and current safely. Most drivers simply balance regular AC charging with occasional DC bursts for flexibility.
Smart Charger
A smart charger is a connected charging device that goes beyond simply delivering power. It can communicate data about charging sessions. Things like energy use, speed, and session status, and often integrates with apps or online platforms for remote monitoring. Technically speaking, a charger is considered “smart” if it can connect to a network, support protocols like OCPP, or share information with other systems. But in practice, it can also mean being aware of solar generation or grid conditions, charging when power is cheapest or cleanest. Whether you’re managing one charger at home or a network across multiple sites, smart charging gives you more visibility, control, and efficiency from the same plug.
Solar Charging
Pairing an EV charger with solar power is one of the simplest ways to drive on clean energy. A solar-connected system uses energy generated from rooftop panels to charge your vehicle during the day, reducing reliance on the grid and cutting charging costs down. Combined with smart charging technology, solar charging can automatically prioritise renewable power when it’s available, maximising efficiency and minimising emissions.
Destination Charging
Destination charging refers to EV chargers installed at places where people spend time; hotels, shopping centres, workplaces, or tourist sites. Instead of focusing on rapid, in-transit charging, destination chargers provide steady AC power while you shop, sleep or work. For businesses, it’s a powerful amenity that attracts customers, supports sustainability goals, and prepares sites for the growing wave of EV drivers.
Plugged In: Charging Connectors Explained
Type 1 (Legacy)
An older AC plug standard once used on early EVs, particularly Japanese imports. It forms the top half of the CCS1 plug and is still common in North America, though it’s largely been replaced by newer standards globally. In Australia, Type 1 has been phased out but can still appear on legacy vehicles. Adapters are available, but most public networks and vehicles now use Type 2 or CCS2 connectors.
Type 2 (Australian Standard)
The current AC plug standard for Australian EVs and charging networks. Durable, widely adopted across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and compatible with almost every new EV sold today. It’s also the upper portion of a CCS2 connector, which means Type 2 vehicles can use AC stations while CCS2 ports support both AC and DC charging. Its adoption has made charging simpler, faster, and consistent nationwide.
CCS (Combined Charging System)
A “combo” connector that supports both AC and DC charging through the same port. the top half is a Type 2 plug for AC charging, while the bottom two pins enable high-power DC. CCS2 is the standard for all new EVs in Australia. It offers flexibility, faster charging speeds, and broad compatibility across public networks, making it the plug that’s keeping Australia’s EV future connected. CCS1 exists, but is not used in Australia.
CHAdeMO
A Japanese-developed DC fast-charging plug once used by models like the Nissan LEAF. It set the benchmark early but is now gradually being replaced by CCS2. Most of Australia’s charging networks still support CHAdeMO, ensuring older EVs remain compatible as the industry evolves.
Getting Connected: Power & Installation
Single-Phase
The standard household supply in Australia, ideal for charging up to 7.4kW. Provides steady overnight charging that fits neatly into most daily driving habits. Keep in mind that your charging cable can limit output depending on the electrical setup. For example, a 11kW cable used on a single-phase circuit can only deliver about 3.6kW, that’s just how the phases divide power.
Three-Phase
Common in commercial settings and newer homes. Enables faster AC charging (up to 22kW) and supports multiple chargers running at once. Adding three-phase capability during a build or renovation can save upgrade costs later as EV adoption accelerates.
Load Management
Smart control that balances electricity across chargers so a site never exceeds its supply limit. It keeps systems safe, efficient, and scalable. For workplaces, apartment buildings, and fleet depots, load management prevents costly upgrades and ensures every vehicle gets what it needs.
Smarter Charging: Connectivity & Control
OCPP
Open Charge Point Protocol. The universal standard that lets chargers and software talk to each other. OCPP compliance keeps networks open and adaptable: you can mix hardware brands, integrate new platforms, and stay ahead as the technology evolves. Most chargers in Australia currently run on OCPP 1.6J, with OCPP 2.0+ rolling out in the near future!
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification. A simple tap card or fob to start or stop a charging session, common for shared charging settings like apartments, fleets and workplaces. It offers secure access control and transparent usage data, so businesses can easily manage who’s charging and when.
Energy Efficiency & Innovation
Regenerative Braking
Every time an EV slows down, it captures energy that would otherwise be lost as heat and sends it back into the battery. That’s regenerative braking, a built-in efficiency feature that helps extend range and reduce brake wear. It works by reversing the electric motor’s function when you lift your foot off the accelerator, converting motion into electrical energy. The result? Smoother drives, longer battery life, and less waste on the road.
V2L / V2H / V2G
Collectively known as bi-directional charging. It’s where EVs stop being just consumers of energy and start becoming part of the energy ecosystem.
- V2L = Vehicle-to-Load: lets you power tools or appliances directly from your EV, ideal for camping or remote work.
- V2H = Vehicle-to-Home: enables your vehicle to power your home during outages or high-price periods.
- V2G = Vehicle-to-Grid: feeds energy back into the grid, helping balance supply and reduce costs.
These technologies are still emerging in Australia but represent the next major leap in smart, flexible energy systems.
Putting It All Together
Understanding the language of EVs isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about making smarter decisions.
Whether you’re choosing your first home charger, expanding your commercial network, or managing an entire fleet, these terms help you see the bigger picture behind the plug.
At JET Charge, we’ve spent more than a decade helping Australia make sense of this language, and turning it into real progress on the road, in businesses, and across communities. Because when everyone speaks the same language, the transition moves faster. Leading the charge, one definition at a time.
Understanding the language is one thing, seeing it in action is another.
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