EV Glossary
Here are a list of commonly used abbreviations used in the EV world.
- AC - Alternating Current: The standard type of electricity in homes and the most effective way of powering an EV. In AC circuit the voltage swings between positive and negative meaning current flows in both directions (hence 'alternating').
- DC - Direct Current: A form of electricity where current only flows in one direction. This is the form of electricity produced by batteries and the most common system used in EV conversions.
- DOD - Depth of Discharge: A measure of how much energy has been withdrawn from a battery. It is expressed as a percentage of the total battery capacity. For example - if you use 25ah of a 100ah battery, that is running the battery to 25% DOD.
- EV - Electric Vehicle: usually referring to registered passenger vehicles but can refer to any vehicle that is powered exclusively by an electric drive train.
- FCV- Fuel Cell Vehicle: A vehicle powered by a fuel cell, usually hydrogen. This is essentially an electric vehicle but using a liquid to store energy rather than a battery.
- HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle: A vehicle which is powered by both electricity and another fuel, usually petrol/gas (eg Toyota Prius). This is usually just a more efficient way of using the standard fuel as there is no external source of electricity.
- ICE - Internal Combustion Engine: the standard way to power a vehicle, this part is removed when converting to an electric car.
- PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: A hybrid electric vehicle with a substantial battery pack which is able to be charged by an external source other than its fossil fuel (i.e. plugged into household electricity). These vehicles often have the ability to travel is a 'pure electric mode' without using any conventional fuels.
- LiFePO4 - Lithium Iron Phosphate battery chemistry.
- NiCd, NiCad - Nickel Cadmium battery chemistry.
- NiMH - Nickel-Metal Hydride battery chemistry.
- Li-poly, Li-Pol, LiPo - Lithium Polymer battery chemistry.
- LiCoO2 - Lithium Cobalt Oxide battery Chemistry.
- VRLA - Valve Regulated Lead Acid battery pack, used mostly in E-Bikes in India, where the energy density
requirements are not so high.