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BEV: battery electric vehicle.

CCS: “Combined Charging System”, also known as “SAE Combo”, or just “Combo”. One of two widely used standards for DC fast charger connectors. See also CHAdeMO; NACS; J1772.

CHAdeMO: the DC fast charger connector used by early Japanese EVs. It’s no longer widely employed. See also CCS; NACS; J1772.

Compliance car: an electric car built to help a manufacturer comply with US fleet mileage standard; usually not widely available.

DC fast charger: an electric car charger that can charge at level 3.

Destination charger: a level 2 charger located at a place where people are likely to spend a large block of time and thus can afford the time required to charge fully at a slow rate.

EV: an electric vehicle.

GOM: see Guess-O-Meter.

Guess-O-Meter (abbreviated GOM). The nickname given to the gauge showing remaining range.

Hybrid: an ICE with a small electric motor and battery that is used to assist the gasoline engine, increasing gasoline mileage. Hybrids use braking and coasting to recharge their batteries, rather than plugging into a wall socket. They can usually drive short distances at low speeds on the battery alone.

ICE – an internal combustion engine. Also, a car driven by an internal combustion engine.

Iced – blocked from using a charger by a gasoline-powered car parked in the charger’s parking space.

J1772: The standard connector for electric car chargers at level 1 and level 2.

Level 1: charging at 110-120 volts.

Level 2: charging at 220-240 volts.

Level 3: charging at 400 volts or higher.

Mild hybrid: an ICE that automatically turns off its engine when stopped, starting it again when the driver presses the accelerator.

NACS: The standard connector for Tesla vehicles, recently adopted by other American manufactures (including General Motors). The initials stand for North American Charging Standard. Adapters are available for CCS ports.

PHEV: plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Range: the distance an electric car can travel on the remaining charge in the battery. Strongly affected by terrain, weather, driving style, etc. See also Guess-O-Meter.

Regen: regeneration. Putting electricity back into the battery from forward motion of the vehicle while slowing for stop signs or descending steep hills.

Regen braking: slowing a car by transforming forward motion into electricity, which is then stored in the battery.

SAE Combo: see CCS. “SAE” stands for “Society of Automotive Engineers”, the body that sets standards relating to automotive design in America.

Supercharger: A NACS level 3 charger originally used only by Teslas; now available to vehicles with CCS ports, via an adapter. See also CCS; NACS.