Your Glossary for Smarter EV Charging and a Greener Tomorrow

A

• AC: Alternating current (AC) is an electrical current that periodically reverses direction. This means the flow of electrons constantly changes direction, typically oscillating in a sinusoidal pattern.
• AC Charging : Charging an EV using alternating current, common for Level 1 and Level 2 home chargers.
• AC Grid: This is a connection from the grid for power supply.
• AC2DC and DC2DC Rectifier: Transforms AC to DC and ensures that DC current going to the batteries and charging stations is of the right Voltage/Amperage. Each rectifier is connected to one or more battery systems.
• Auxiliary Systems: Systems used for control and safety of the container and associated electrical components.
• AI: Artificial Intelligence. Algorithms enabling predictive maintenance, load balancing, and customer personalization.
• Auto Cut-Off: A built-in safety feature in modern EV chargers that automatically stops charging when the battery is fully charged or detects faults, preventing overcharging and electrical hazards.
• AC vs  DC Charging for Evs: AC  (slower, onboard conversion) vs DC (faster, direct battery charging bypassing  onboard systems).​

B

• Battery Management System (BMS): A system that manages the batteries in the storage unit, monitoring their health and charge.
• Battery System: A set of batteries assembled is called a module, and multiple modules connected together is called a rack. These racks stacked together with management and control systems are housed in a box, which is called a battery system.
• BESS (Battery Energy Storage System): A system that stores electrical energy in batteries, often combining renewable sources like solar or wind with the grid, to provide stable, on-demand power for EV charging and grid support.
• Bi-Directional (BIDI): BIDI is the module responsible for the two-way flow of electricity—receiving electricity from the grid and supplying excess energy back when needed. .
• BBEC (Battery-Boosted EV Charger): An EV charging system enhanced with integrated battery storage to deliver fast, reliable charging while reducing grid strain and enabling better energy management.
• Bilingual Payment Integration: EV charger user interfaces in the Middle East that support Arabic and English, aswell as local payment systems like Mada (Saudi Arabia) or e-Dirham (UAE).
• BIS-Certified Hardware EV charging hardware that meets India’s Bureau of Indian Standards for safety and performance.
• BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report) A mandatory SEBI framework requiring India’s top 1,000 listed companies to disclose ESG performance indicators across energy, climate, governance, and social impact metrics.
• Billing & Integration: Systems that enable multi-user metering, RFID or app-based access controls, session-level metering, and integration with payroll or centralized accounting for transparent and fair reimbursement of charging costs
• BSES, Tata Power, EESL : Key electricity distribution companies and organizations involved in EV charging infrastructure development in India.

c

• Capex: Capex is an acronym for capital expenditure. It refers to a company's long-term investments in fixed assets (like property, plants, and equipment) to facilitate future growth and operations.  
• CATL Shenxing Battery : A next-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery developed by CATL, capable of ultra-fast charging at 12C rates and delivering up to 1.3 MW peak power.  
• Charge Point Operator (CPO): An entity that operates and manages EV charging stations.
• Charging Dispenser: The charging dispenser is the unit with the cable that directly plugs into the EV.  for control and safety of the container and associatedelectrical components.
• Charging Point : The physical outlet or interface where an electric vehicle is plugged in to receive electricity.
• Charging Speed: The rate at which energy is delivered to an EV battery; Harmony Direct 2.0 supports up to 240kW for rapid charging.
• Charging Profile: A set of predefined rules and parameters (power limits, time windows, priorities) that govern how an EV charger delivers power to a vehicle. Modern chargers can support multiple profiles running concurrently.
• Clean mobility: Transportation systems and practices that significantly reduce environmental impact, often emphasizing electric or low-emission vehicles.
• Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Upfront investment required for purchasing and installing EV chargers and electrical infrastructure
• Conduit Provisioning : Laying conduits and cable routes during construction to allow easy EV charger expansion in future.
• Capex-Free Installations: Charging infrastructure deployment approaches where upfront capital expenditure is borne by Charging Point Operators (CPOs) or third parties, with costs recovered later through revenue-share or pay-per-use models, reducing financial barriers for property owners and RWAs.
• Community-Owned Station: Charging infrastructure managed and owned by local organizations such as panchayats and self-help groups.
• Cold Chain: Logistics system that keeps produce, dairy, or other perishables chilled during transport, increasingly using EVs.
• CDP Reporting: Disclosure  of climate, environmental, and sustainability data for EV infrastructure  operations and emissions tracking.​

D

• DC: Direct current (DC) is an electrical current that flows in one constant direction.
• DC Fast Charging: High-speed charging using direct current, enabling rapid EV battery replenishment.
• Dynamic Load Management (DLM): Technology that balances charging power among multiple EVs to avoid exceeding electrical limits.
• Dynamic Load Sharing (DLS): A smart power management feature that dynamically allocates available charging power between connectors or vehicles.
• Dynamic Charging : Charging an EV while it is in motion, such as via electrified roads embedded with charging infrastructure.
• Distributed Charging System: A network of geographically dispersed EV charging stations connected via cloud platforms and standardized protocols, enabling coordinated management and seamless scalability.
• DC Fast Charger: Direct Current fast charger, typically 50–350 kW, allows rapid charging for EVs.
• Destination Charging: Charging points installed where vehicles are parked for several hours (e.g., malls, offices, homes, hotels).
• Downtime: The period when a charger is not working or is unavailable to EV drivers.
• Dwell Time : The time visitors spend at a location like a mall. Important for determining whether AC or DC chargers are suitable.
• Distribution Company (DISCOM) Power utility company responsible for providing electricity grid access for public charging stations.
• Demand Charges: Fees applied by electric utilities based on the peak amount of power drawn during a billing period. Managing these charges effectively can reduce operational costs for EV charging infrastructure.
• Delhi PPP Model (Public-Private Partnership) : A strategic initiative in Delhi combining land and resources from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to deploy EV chargers across 100 high-footfall sites including metro stations, depots, and malls, using a collaborative model to ensure affordable, scalable, and reliable charging.
• DISCOM (Distribution Company) : A company responsible for the delivery of electricity to consumers and grid management within specific geographic areas.
• DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) : The state-owned enterprise managing the Delhi Metro system, involved in public EV charging infrastructure deployment.
• DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation): The public bus transport service provider in Delhi, also collaborating in deploying chargers at bus depots.
• DJB (Delhi Jal Board): Delhi’s municipal agency responsible for water supply, which contributed land for charging infrastructure in the Delhi PPP model.
• Dynamic Load Balancing - Load Enhancement: Real-time  power redistribution to maximize charger utilization without grid upgrades.​

E

• EMS (Energy Management System): Software that manages energy sources and storage for optimal performance and cost savings.
• EV (Electric Vehicle): A vehicle powered by one or more electric motors, usingenergy stored in rechargeable batteries.
• EV Charging Solutions: Comprehensive hardware and software systems designed to support efficient EV charging.
• EV Charging Stations: Physical locations equipped with chargers for recharging electric vehicles.
• EV charger – A device used to recharge electric vehicles by supplying electrical power.
• EV adoption – The process and rate at which consumers switch from traditional fuel vehicles to electric vehicles.
• EV-Ready Campus: Commercial or industrial campuses pre-equipped with EV charging infrastructure or space and provisions for easy installation.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): A framework used by investors to evaluate corporate sustainability and ethical impact.
• ESG-linked Loans : Financial instruments that offer favorable borrowing rates tied to a company’s ESG performance indicators (like carbon reduction or energy efficiency improvements).
• Energy Analytics: The use of data collection and analysis tools to optimize energy consumption patterns, enabling demand response and time-of-use tariff benefits.
• 80% of EV Charging Happens at Home: Statistic highlighting that most EV charging currently takes place at residential premises, making home charging infrastructure critical for EV adoption and convenience.
• Electrocution Risk: The potential danger of electrical shock if EV charging is done through makeshift or unsafe means like legacy wall sockets; addressed by using certified Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) complying with safety standards.
• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE): Specialized electrical equipment that safely provides power to EVs for charging, including chargers, cables, connectors, and control systems. Recommended by authorities like ARAI and BIS over legacy sockets.
• Earthing: Grounding system ensuring safety by dissipating fault currents in EV charging stations to prevent shocks.​

F

• FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Phase II): Indian government subsidy program aimed at accelerating EV adoption and charging infrastructure expansion.
• Future-Proofing(for EV Charging): Designing infrastructure—such as charger bays, transformers, and cable ducts—withexpansion in mind, so systems can be easily upgraded to higher power as demandgrows, minimizing new civil works.
• Future-Proofing(for EV Charging): Designing infrastructure—such as charger bays, transformers, and cable ducts—withexpansion in mind, so systems can be easily upgraded to higher power as demandgrows, minimizing new civil works.
• FAME II / FAME III (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles): Government of India subsidy schemes aimed at promoting electric and hybrid vehicle adoption through incentives for vehicles and charging infrastructure deployment.
• Farmer Producer Organization (FPO): Groups representing farmers that can co-own and manage shared infrastructure like EV charging stations.

G

• Gateway (IoT gateway): A network of powerlines and equipment that delivers electricity from power plants to consumers.
• Grid/Power Grid: A network of powerlines and equipment that delivers electricity from power plants to consumers.
• Grid Management: The process of balancing electricity supply and demand on the power grid.
• Grid infrastructure – The electrical power supply network that supports energy distribution.
• Green Building Ratings (IGBC/LEED) Certification systems rewarding buildings that include EV charging for sustainability compliance.
• Green Bonds: Debt instruments specifically used to finance projects with positive environmental outcomes, including renewable energy or EV infrastructure.
• Grid Readiness: The capability of the electricity grid to support additional load from EV chargers without compromising reliability or causing overloads.
• GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark): Assessment  framework evaluating sustainability performance of real estate with EV  charging infrastructure.​

H

• Harmony Connect RMS: Exicom’s remote monitoring and management platform for diagnostics, troubleshooting, and interface control.
• Highways – Major public roads designed for fast traffic movement over long distances.
• Hybrid Off-Grid Charging: Charging solution mixing solar generation and battery storage (microgrids), deployed inremote or coastal sites where connecting to the main grid isn’t practical.

I

• Ingress Protection (IP): A rating system that measures how well an enclosure protects against dust, liquids, and other objects.
• Inductive (wireless) charging :  Charging EVs without cables, using electromagnetic fields through coils embedded in driveways or parking spots.
• Intelligent Power Switch Matrix: Supplies electricity to charging stations based on their requirements.
• Interoperability: The ability of different EVs and chargers to work seamlessly together.
• IP54 / IK10 Enclosure: Weatherproof and vandal-resistant housing standards for reliable outdoor operation.
• ISO 15118: International standard for secure communication between EV and charger, enabling Plug & Charge and V2G.
• Intelligent Load Management (ILM): A dynamic system that allocates available electrical power among multiple EVs charging simultaneously, optimizing grid usage and preventing overloads.
• IoT: Internet of Things. Technology connecting devices to collect and share data over a network.
• Infrastructure expansion – Development and enhancement of physical structures such as roads, highways, and facilities.
• Integration (in infrastructure) – The process of including EV charging considerations into broader infrastructure planning.
• IGBC (Indian Green Building Council): An organization that certifies buildings based on sustainable design and operations in India.
• Industrial Park: A designated area set aside for industrial development, hosting factories, warehouses, and logistics hubs.
• IP55 / IP65 Rating Ingress: protection rating ensuring chargers resist dust and water – critical for outdoor charging environments.
• ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Vehicles: Vehicles powered by engines using fuel such as petrol or diesel, as opposed to electric motors.

K

• kWh: A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy representing the use of 1,000 watts over one hour.

L

• Level 1 Charger: Basic EV charger operating at 120–240V, typically ≤3.7 kW, suitable for overnight charging.
• Level 2 Charger: More powerful charger operating at 240V, delivering 3.3 kW to 22 kW for faster charging.
• LFP Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate) : A type of lithium-ion battery chemistry known for safety, longevity, and thermal stability, used in CATL’s Shenxing battery.
• Load Balancing Grid (LBG): Ensures that electricity generation meets demand and prevents outages.
• Load Control Grid (LCG): This is a key component, which uses intelligent technologies tomonitor and control electricity consumption.
• Load Management: Techniques used to optimize and balance electricity consumption to avoid peak demand charges and ensure efficient operation.
• Load Headroom : Reserved extra electrical power capacity to support peak EV charging demand without tripping or downtime.
• LEED v4.1 : A global green building certification standard that rewards infrastructure projects for sustainability measures like EV charging, energy efficiency, and renewable integration.
• Led, IGBC, GRIHA Certifications: Recognized green building certifications that award credits to buildings incorporating sustainability initiatives, such as EV charging infrastructure.
• Legacy Wall Sockets: Conventional electrical outlets not designed for EV charging, posing safety and performance risks; their usage is discouraged by regulators.

M

• Maximum Power Point Tracking Voltage (MPPT) System: This system/controllerensures that the solar panel operates at its peak efficiency regardless ofchanging
• Megawatt Charging : Ultra-fast DC charging technology delivering charging power of 1 megawatt (MW) or more, significantly reducing charging times.
• Multilingual UI/UX: User interface and experience design that supports multiple languages for diverse users.
• MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation): A government body facilitating industrial infrastructure in Maharashtra, often involved in EV charger installation policies.
• Modular Foundations: Charger installation methodology that allows power upgrades and retrofits (such asboosting from 22 kW to 150 kW) without redoing major civil works, especiallyimportant in large projects like NEOM and The Red Sea Project.
• Materiality Mapping : A strategic ESG process that identifies environmental, social, and governance issues most relevant to a company’s operations and stakeholders.
• Modular Infrastructure: Designing the EV charging system in scalable modules or phases to accommodate growing demand flexibly without major rework.
• Metro Station / Transit Hub: High-traffic public transport points such as metro stations, bus depots, and airports ideal for EV charging infrastructure due to constant vehicle turnover and passenger flow.
• Multi-Family Communities: Residential complexes or apartment societies with multiple households, commonly managed by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), often requiring shared or managed home charging infrastructure.
• MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation): A government body facilitating industrial infrastructure in Maharashtra, often involved in EV charger installation policies.
• Microgrid: A local energy grid powered by sources like solar, supplying power independently or alongside the main grid.

N

• Net Metering: A system allowing solar power producers to feed surplus electricity back to the grid in exchange for credits.

O

• OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol): Open standard for charger-management system communication.
• Opex: Operating expenses—costs a business incurs to run daily operations.
• Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) : Protocol enabling roaming between different EV charging networks and allowing drivers to charge across CPOs.
• Operator Expenditure Model (OpEx Model) Financing model where a third-party charging operator installs and maintains EV chargers, sharing revenue with the property owner.

P

• PCS (Power Conversion System): Converts electricity between AC and DC to match battery and grid needs.    
• Predictive Charging : Using AI/ML algorithms to schedule EV charging at optimal times to reduce costs and grid load.
• Public Charging Infrastructure : Networks of publicly accessible charging stations and points that allow EV users to recharge their vehicles outside the home.
• Predictive Maintenance: Using AI or sensors to anticipate and prevent equipment failures.
• PV Modules: Solar panels that convert energy from the sun to power the battery system.
• Photovoltaic (PV) Cells: Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.
• PM e-DRIVE: Government of India scheme promoting public EV infrastructure with subsidies and deployment mandates.
• Public infrastructure plans – Government-led initiatives to develop facilities and services for public use.
• Per-Bay Metering: Installing metering for individual charging bays to track energy consumption separately, making cost recovery and billing transparent.
• Park & Charge: A charging model where EV drivers can park their vehicles at transit stations or parking lots and charge their vehicles while away, often used to support multimodal travel.
• PPP Model (Public-Private Partnership): A collaborative model where government and private entities share resources, risks, and rewards to develop infrastructure projects efficiently.
• Passive Income through V2G: Potential earnings EV owners may get by selling stored battery energy back to the grid in Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) programs, demonstrated by pilot projects like Kerala’s Tata Nexon EV initiative.
• Portable Charging Unit: Mobile charging devices that work like power banks for EVs in locations lacking fixed infrastructure.
• Pay-per-Use: A payment model where users pay each time they use a charging service, with no long-term commitment.

Q

• Quality of Service: A holistic measure of user experience at a chargingstation, including reliability, availability, ease of payment, clearinstructions, and customer support.

R

• Renewable Energy: Energy from naturally replenished sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.
• Reliability (of EV Charger): The percentage of successful charging sessions outof total attempts, reflecting the charger’s ability to deliver energy whenevera user initiates a session.
• Remote Monitoring System (RMS): A technology platform that provides real-timediagnostics, predictive maintenance alerts, and usage analytics for EV chargers.
• Range anxiety – The fear that an electric vehicle will run out of charge before reaching the destination or a charging point.
• RFID Access Control: Radio Frequency Identification technology used for secure user authentication and access control to EV charging bays, supporting billing and usage tracking.
• Range Confidence: The assurance that EV drivers have access to sufficient charging infrastructure along their routes, reducing “range anxiety” or fear of battery depletion.
• Renewable Integration: The use of clean energy sources like solar and wind to power EV charging stations, enhancing sustainability.
• Resident Welfare Association (RWA): The governing body of multi-family residential communities responsible for management of common infrastructure, amenities, and shared resources—critical stakeholders in planning, hosting, and managing home EV charging networks.
• Revenue-Share Model: A financial agreement where CPOs install and operate EV chargers with zero or minimal upfront cost to RWAs or property owners, recovering expenses by sharing charging revenue or through usage-based billing (per kWh).
• RFID Authentication: A wireless identification technology used in smart chargers to authenticate authorized users before permitting charging, enhancing security and management in shared residential setups.

S

• Smart EV Charger App: Mobile application that allows users to monitor and control charging remotely.
• Scalability: The ability to expand systems or infrastructure to meet growing demand.
• Subscription Model: Business model where users pay recurring fees for charging or value-added services.
• Subsidization – Financial assistance provided by the government to encourage certain activities, e.g., purchase or installation of EV chargers.
• SEZ (Special Economic Zone): A demarcated area with special economic regulations to attract business and promote exports.
• Smart Charger: An EV charger equipped with advanced functionalities such as load balancing, remote management, and predictive maintenance.
• Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions : Categories defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Scope 1: direct emissions from owned operations; Scope 2: indirect emissions from purchased electricity; Scope 3: all other indirect emissions, such as employee commuting and supply chains.
• SDG Alignment : The practice of mapping corporate sustainability initiatives to relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 7 (Clean Energy) or SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Scope 3 Emissions: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions that occur as a consequence of a company’s activities but from sources it does not own or control, such as emissions from employee commuting and supply chains.
• Single-Phase Power Supply: Electrical supply system with a single alternating current phase, typically operating at 210–240 volts, suitable for lower power AC chargers.
• Session Fee: A charge collected from EV users for a single charging session at a public EV charging station.
• Site Selection: The strategic process of choosing optimal locations for installing EV chargers, considering traffic flow, dwell time, visibility, safety, and accessibility.
• Smart Load Management: Technology-enabled distribution of electrical load to prevent grid overloads during peak demand, especially important for managing multiple high-power chargers.
• Scheduling Charging: The ability of smart chargers to enable users or system managers to define specific time windows for charging, commonly during off-peak grid hours to optimize costs and reduce grid stress.
• Surge Protection: Safety technology integrated into modern EV chargers to protect both the charging equipment and EV battery from voltage spikes or surges in electrical supply.
• Solar Power/Panel: System that converts sunlight into electricity, used for rural charging stations where grid access is limited.
• Solar Integration: Combining  photovoltaic panels with EV chargers for renewable energy supply and grid  independence.​
• Subsidies: Financial  incentives from governments reducing CapEx for EV charging infrastructure  deployment.​
• Single Phase vs Three Phase: Single-phase  (230V, slower) for home chargers vs three-phase (415V, faster) for commercial  EV stations.​​

T

• Thermal Management System (TMS): Controls battery temperature to maintain safe and efficient operation.
• Tech-forward chargers – Advanced EV chargers that incorporate modern technology for efficiency, speed, and adaptability.
• Tax Incentives: Fiscal benefits like rebates or exemptions provided to encourage specific investments, e.g., EV infrastructure.
• The Line (NEOM): A170 km linear city under construction in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, designed with zero private-car roads and centered on shared, electric, and autonomous mobility.
• Three-Phase Power Supply: A higher-capacity electrical supply operating at 410–440 volts, supporting faster AC chargers or a cluster of chargers with higher power demands.
• Time-of-Use Tariffs: Electricity pricing where rates vary depending on the time of day, incentivizing consumption during off-peak hours to reduce costs.
• Transformer Capacity: The power handling capability of a transformer, which determines the maximum electrical load that can be safely delivered to the EV charging infrastructure without overloads.
• Thermal Derating: Reducing the maximum allowable current or power capacity of equipment based on temperature to prevent overheating and ensure safety.
• Tariff (₹ / kWh): The price charged to EV users per unit of electricity consumed (kilowatt-hour) at charging stations.

U

• User Interface: A platform for CPOs or users to view data and interact with the system.
• Ultra-fast charging : High-power DC charging that can replenish an EV battery to 80% in under 20 minutes.
• Uptime: Percentage of time charging equipment remains operational; ideal uptime threshold is 97%+ for public chargers.
• Utilization Rate: The percentage of time a charger is actively used(delivering a charge) out of total available time.
• UPI (Unified Payments Interface): A real-time payment system widely used in India that facilitates easy and instant money transfer, integrated into EV charging payments for convenience.
• Urban Municipal Models: City-level initiatives in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, etc., creating local frameworks and public-private partnerships to deploy and manage EV charging infrastructure.

V

• Vehicle to Grid (V2G): Technology that allows EVs to send electricity back to the power grid.
• Vehicle to Home (V2H): Using an EV’s battery to power a home during peak demand or outages.
• Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) : Sharing energy between EVs directly.
• Volt (V): Unit measuring electrical potential difference or the pressure that drives electric current.
• Voltage Drop - Reduction in electrical voltage over long cable distances; kept under limits to ensure efficient EV charging.

W

• Wireless Charging : Technology allowing EVs to charge without physical cables, typically through electromagnetic induction from charging pads or embedded roadways.
• Wayside Amenities (WSAs) – Facilities provided along highways, including rest stops and charging stations, aimed at supporting travelers.
• Workplaces and residences – Common locations where EV chargers can be installed to facilitate convenient vehicle charging.
• Workplace Charging: Provision of EV charging facilities at workplaces for employees and fleet vehicles.
• Weatherproof Chargers: Charging units designed to operate safely and reliably under various environmental conditions such as rain, dust, and extreme temperatures, making them suitable for outdoor or semi-outdoor residential installations.