EV glossary
Jargon buster — every EV term explained in plain English
Common EV terms
BMS (Battery Management System): The brain of the battery pack. Monitors cell voltages, temperatures, and state of charge. Prevents overcharging and deep discharge.
kWh (kilowatt-hour): Unit of battery capacity. A 40 kWh battery can deliver 40 kW of power for 1 hour (or 10 kW for 4 hours). Bigger kWh = more range.
Regenerative braking (regen): When you lift off the accelerator, the electric motor runs in reverse as a generator, slowing the car and feeding energy back into the battery.
SoC (State of Charge): Battery percentage, like your phone battery. 80% SoC = 80% full.
SoH (State of Health): How much capacity the battery has retained compared to new. 90% SoH = 10% degradation.
DC fast charging: High-power charging (25-350 kW) that bypasses the onboard charger. Charges 20-80% in 20-45 minutes depending on vehicle and charger.
CCS2: Combined Charging System Type 2 — the standard DC fast charging connector in India (and Europe). Most 4W EVs use this.
Range anxiety: The fear of running out of charge before reaching your destination. Decreases with experience.
V2L (Vehicle to Load): Some EVs (Hyundai Ioniq 5, MG ZS EV) can power external devices from the car battery — useful for camping or emergencies.
OTA (Over the Air): Software updates sent wirelessly to the vehicle, like phone updates. Can fix bugs, add features, and sometimes improve range.
Was this guide helpful?