The EV glossary — all terms explained

When you read about EVs and charging, you quickly encounter many abbreviations and technical terms. Do not let that intimidate you! Here we explain all the terms you need to know, in a simple and understandable way.

Electricity and energy

kW (kilowatt)

Kilowatt is a unit of power — that is, how fast electricity is delivered. Think of it as the water pressure in a tap. The higher the kW, the faster the car charges. A home charger typically delivers 7-22 kW, while a fast charger can deliver 50-350 kW.

kWh (kilowatt-hour)

Kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy — that is, how much electricity you actually use or store. Think of it as the number of litres of water. The battery in your EV is measured in kWh. A car with a 77 kWh battery and a consumption of 2 kWh per 10 km has a theoretical range of about 385 km.

AC (alternating current)

AC stands for Alternating Current. It is the type of electricity that comes from the wall outlet at home. Normal charging and semi-fast charging use AC. The car has a built-in converter that converts AC to DC to charge the battery.

DC (direct current)

DC stands for Direct Current. Fast chargers deliver DC directly to the battery, bypassing the car's built-in converter. This is why fast chargers can deliver much higher power and charge the car faster.

Spot price

The spot price is the market price of electricity, which changes hour by hour. The price is set on the Nord Pool power exchange and varies according to supply and demand. Many EV owners charge at home when the spot price is low — typically at night.

Grid tariff (nettleie)

The grid tariff is the fee you pay to the grid company for using the electricity grid. It comes on top of the electricity price itself. The grid tariff has a fixed component and an energy component, and can also vary by time of day.

Connectors and standards

Type 2

Type 2 is the European standard for charging connectors for normal charging (AC). Nearly all EVs sold in Europe use Type 2. The connector has seven pins and supports charging up to 22 kW (in some cases 43 kW).

CCS (Combined Charging System)

CCS is the standard for fast charging (DC) in Europe. The CCS connector is an extension of Type 2 with two additional pins for direct current. The vast majority of new EVs use CCS for fast charging.

CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO is an older Japanese standard for fast charging. It is used in some older EVs such as the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander. CHAdeMO is being phased out in favour of CCS.

RFID

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology used in charging tags. You hold the tag up to the charger to start charging, instead of using an app. Many charging operators offer RFID tags to their customers.

Charging types and equipment

Charging box (wallbox)

A charging box is a dedicated charging unit mounted on the wall at home, in the garage, or at the parking space. It typically delivers 7-22 kW and is the safest and fastest way to charge at home. Also called a wallbox.

Fast charger

A fast charger is a charging station that delivers direct current (DC) at high power — typically 50-350 kW. Fast chargers are found along major roads and in cities, and can charge the car from 10 to 80 percent in 15-45 minutes.

Semi-fast charger

A semi-fast charger delivers between 22 and 50 kW, usually AC. They are faster than a regular home charger but slower than a fast charger. These are often found at shopping centres and workplaces.

Destination charger

A destination charger is a charging station located where you spend some time — such as hotels, restaurants, or shopping centres. They charge more slowly than fast chargers, but you do not notice because you are busy with other things.

Battery and range

SOC (State of Charge)

SOC means state of charge and indicates how much power is left in the battery, expressed as a percentage. 100 percent SOC means a full battery, 0 percent means empty. You can see the SOC on the car's instrument panel.

BMS (Battery Management System)

BMS is the battery management system that monitors and controls the battery. It ensures that the cells in the battery are charged evenly, maintains the correct temperature, and prevents overcharging or excessive discharge. The BMS is the reason you can safely leave the car charging overnight.

Range

Range is how far the car can drive on a full charge. The stated range (WLTP) is measured under standardised conditions. In reality, the range depends on driving style, temperature, terrain, and use of heating/air conditioning.

Charging curve

The charging curve shows how the charging power changes during a charging session. Most EVs charge fastest between 10 and 50 percent SOC, and then the power gradually decreases. This is why it pays to charge to 80 percent instead of 100 percent — the last bit is much slower.

Regenerative braking (regen)

Regenerative braking means that the EV recovers energy when you release the accelerator or brake. The electric motor acts as a generator and sends power back to the battery. This increases the range, especially in city driving and on downhill stretches.

WLTP

WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is the standardised test used to measure range and consumption. All EVs sold in Europe state their range according to the WLTP standard. Real-world range is typically 10-30 percent lower.

Prices and payment

Drop-in price

The drop-in price is the price you pay when you charge without a subscription or membership — that is, the price anyone can pay without any pre-registration. Drop-in prices are usually more expensive than registered prices.

Registered price

The registered price is the price you pay when you have created an account with the charging operator. It is usually lower than the drop-in price. It costs nothing to register with most operators.

Subscription

Some charging operators offer subscriptions where you pay a fixed monthly fee and get a lower price per kWh. It is worthwhile if you fast charge frequently. Compare charging subscriptions→ to see what suits you.

Per-minute pricing vs. per-kWh pricing

Some chargers charge per minute, others per kWh. Per-kWh pricing is the fairest because you pay for the energy you actually receive. With per-minute pricing, cars that charge slowly end up paying more for the same amount of electricity.

Operators and networks

Charging operator

A charging operator is the company that owns and operates the charging stations. In Norway, there are many operators, for example Circle K, Mer, Recharge, Ionity, and Kople. Each operator has its own prices and its own app. You can see all operators→ on ladr.no.

Roaming

Roaming means that you can use another operator's charging station via your own app. For example, you can charge at a Recharge charger via the Circle K app. Roaming prices are often slightly higher than if you use the operator's own app.