Looking to learn a little more about the world of electric vehicles (EVs)? Use the Allstar EV Glossary to guide you through the terminology of this evolving landscape.
This is your A to Z of everything you need to know about EVs, from kWhs to Rapid Charging, and the difference between HEVs and PHEVs. Keep reading to find out more...
AER
The Advisory Electric Rate is the pence-per-mile amount, determined by HMRC, that employees can reclaim from their employer, the cost of energy for any business mileage completed in their electric company cars. The fuel equivalent is known as Advisory Fuel rate, or AFR.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
A fully electric vehicle powered solely by rechargeable batteries, with no internal combustion engine.
BIK (Benefit in Kind)
A non-cash perk or benefit provided by an employer to an employee, such as health insurance or a company car. Tax is paid on the P11d value of these benefits.
Bill shock
What can happen to an electric vehicle driver the first time they receive an energy supplier bill after charging their vehicle at home and experiencing a much higher monthly cost than usual.
CAZ (Clean Air Zone)
Some cities and towns in the UK have introduced CAZs to improve the air quality. Vehicles that exceed emission standards must pay a fee if they drive through these zones.
CCS
A charging standard for electric vehicles that uses both AC and DC charging via a connector.
CHAdeMO
A fast-charging standard for electric vehicles that uses DC charging to replenish battery power.
Charge point
The physical charging device (which could be standalone or mounted on a wall or lamppost) that supplies electricity for charging an EV. One charge point can have multiple chargers or connectors.
Charger (Connector)
We use the term ‘charger’. An electrical outlet or interface on an electric vehicle (EV) charge point where the charging cable is plugged in to transfer electrical power from the charge point to the vehicle. There may be multiple chargers (connectors) attached to a charge point.
Charging session
A single instance of charging your car. Start a charging session in the app or by tapping the Allstar Chargepass card on the payment terminal of the charge point.
Class 1A National Insurance contributions
Employer-paid contributions on most taxable employee benefits, such as company cars or health insurance. Note, Class 1 NIC is paid by both employees and employers on salary (earnings) but not benefits.
Company car tax
A benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax employees pay for using a company-provided car, calculated based on the car's P11d value, CO2 emissions, and income tax rate. For some cars (PHEVs), the tax is also based on the zero emission range.
EV (Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that is powered, at least in part, by electricity. This is also referred to as a BEV, or battery electric vehicle. See also: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Expensive car supplement (ECS)
An additional duty applicable on cars with a list price of over a certain threshold (currently £40,000), between years 2 to 6.
Fast charging
Charging an electric vehicle using a higher capacity supply (230V, typically 7kW-22 kW). It's faster than slow charging and can fully charge an electric vehicle in several hours.
FYA (First Year Allowance)
An allowance which lets businesses claim 100% tax relief on qualifying capital expenditure in the year of purchase
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A HEV is the more common type of hybrid vehicle found on UK roads. It uses a combination of a traditional petrol or diesel engine with a small battery pack to power the car, rather than a charger. HEVs generally cannot drive for long on battery power alone, but juggles the power sources to be more efficient on the road.
ICE Vehicle (Internal Combustion Engine)
A traditional petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle.
kW (Kilowatts)
The output speed of chargers (i.e. the amount of power they can deliver) is measured in Kilowatts (kW).
kWh (Kilowatt-hour)
A unit of energy most used to measure the capacity of batteries in electric vehicles. It tells you how much energy a battery can store.
mi/kWh
Miles per Kilowatt Hour (mi/kWh) is the figure showing how many miles a vehicle can go on 1 kWh. This is a measure of efficiency which will take into account both the vehicle and the driving style.
National Minimum Wage
The legal minimum hourly pay rate employers must pay workers in the UK, varying by age and employment status.
OpRA (Optional Renumeration Arrangements)
OpRA applies when salary or a cash allowance is given up in favour of a benefit. It doesn't apply to cars with emissions of 75g/km or below.
Pence per kWh
Pence (p) per Kilowatt Hour (kWh) is the cost for every 1 kWh of energy charged to a vehicle.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, which can be charged via an external power source.
P11d Value
The taxable benefit-in-kind (BIK) value of a company car, which is calculated based on price list, CO2 emissions, zero emissions range for some PHEVs and fuel type.
PPM
Pence-per-mile is the calculation of the price per kWh divided by mi/ kWh to show how much each mile costs. In ICE vehicles, PPM is calculated by dividing the p per litre with mi /litre.
Public charging
Charging an electric vehicle at a public charge point. We use the term ‘public charging’.
Range anxiety
The fear that an electric vehicle won’t have enough battery power to reach its destination.
Rapid charging
Charging an electric vehicle using direct current (DC) at high voltage (typically 50 kW) and can charge most electric vehicles to 80% in around 30 minutes, depending on vehicle battery capacity.
RDE2 standard
An emissions regulation requiring vehicles to meet emissions limits for NOx under real-world driving conditions.
Regenerative braking
A system used in EVs or PHEVs to use the kinetic energy created when a vehicle slows down to recharge the battery while braking. This energy helps extend the range of an electric vehicle.
RFID card
Known as a Radio Frequency Identity Card, allows for contactless payment for a charging session when used at a public charging point.
Salary sacrifice
An arrangement where an employee agrees to exchange part of their salary for a non-cash benefit.
Slow charging
Charging an electric vehicle using an installed home charger, lamppost charger or standard UK household plug (up to 7kW). It's typically used for overnight charging at home or residential areas.
Smart charging
A way to charge an EV at home during a specific period, including off-peak energy tariff hours, or during a time that benefits the electric grid. Read more about it here.
Type 1 charger
The type of plug that’s attached to the end of a charging cable and is the standard type for EV chargers in Asia and the USA. Type 1 chargers have a five-pin design and a latch system to keep the charger in place on the vehicle.
Type 2 charger
Type 2 chargers are more commonly found on European roads and uses a seven-pin design that locks securely onto a vehicle and can only be removed by the vehicle owner.
ULEZ
The Ultra Low Emission Zone, now encompassing most of Greater London, in which drivers of non-qualifying vehicles must pay a charge to enter the zone.
Ultra-rapid charging
Delivering power of 100-150kW or above, this is the fastest technology to charge an electric vehicle and can add 80% in around 15/20 minutes, depending on vehicle battery capacity.
VAT
Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied to domestic electricity at 5%, electricity used in public charging at 20%, as well as petrol and diesel at 20%.
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
An annual duty on vehicles driven in the in the UK, which for cars is calculated based on their CO2 emissions and fuel type. Also see expensive car supplement (ECS).
WLTP
The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) laboratory test measures fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from passenger cars, as well as their pollutant emissions, providing official figures for use by manufacturers, governments and other regulatory authorities.
ZEV Mandate
The ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Mandate is a UK government scheme that requires vehicle manufacturers by law to increase the sales figures of electric vehicles ahead of the ICE ban in 2035. It will require 100% of new cars sold in 2035 to be ZEVs.
Now you’re up to speed with the terminology in the EV landscape, find out how Allstar Chargepass® could help your business.
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