Electric car

EV glossary: Everything you need to drive electric

We're here to bust the jargon and help you on your road to electrification. From understanding the difference between car chargers to choosing the right electric vehicles for your needs, we've got you covered!
Electric car

A quick guide to help you understand EV terms:

At Zipcar we offer a convenient and flexible car hiring service, providing you with access to a diverse fleet of over thousands of vehicles located in convenient roadside locations throughout London. With Zipcar, you can easily access a fleet of electric vehicles and experience the freedom of the open road without the hassle of car ownership.

 

 

Vehicles Types

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

A vehicle that only uses electricity, which is stored in an onboard battery and usually charged at a specialised charging station.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)

A vehicle containing both a traditional combustion engine and a rechargeable battery, enabling the driver to choose between driving entirely on electric or using a combination of petrol and electric engine to cover greater distances.

Plug-in vehicle (PiV)

A term for any vehicle with a plug socket, including BEVs and PHEVs.

Electric vehicle (EV)

Can be used as a general term for BEVs, and PHEVs, but is often used to refer to pure electric vehicles i.e. BEVs.

Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV)

A vehicle that qualifies for incentives and benefits from the UK government because its carbon emissions are less than 75g/km.

Hybrid Car

A general term for any vehicle that has a petrol or diesel engine and plus an electric motor. The main types are full, mild and plug-in hybrid.

EV charging connector types

Type 1

Type 1

A five pin plug that also features a clip, this connector is common in the US and is typically found on EVs manufactured by Asian and US brands.

Type 2

Type 2

A seven-pin plug with one flat edge, this connector was originally favoured by European brands, but is now becoming the most popular on all cars. Can carry three-phase power and locks into the socket of a charging point.

CHAdeMO

CHAdeMO

A round four-pin plug, this connector is only used for rapid charging points and is typically compatible with EVs manufactured by Asian brands. Our Nissan Leaf is equipped with a CHAdeMO connector, which is a standard for fast charging electric vehicles. This connector type allows you to quickly recharge the Leaf at compatible charging stations, check here our quick video guidelines.

CCS

Standardised by the EU, this connector combines two DC pins arranged below the Type 2 AC connector and uses 3 of the Type 2s pins. Found on most Type 2 BEVs. Our Vauxhall Corsa-e and Hyundai Ioniq are equipped with a CCS connector, which is a standard for fast-charging electric vehicles. This connector type allows you to quickly recharge the vehicles at compatible charging stations, check here our quick video guidelines: Vauxhall Corsa-e or Hyundai Ioniq.

Key concepts

Top Up Charging

When you park your electric vehicle, you should always plug it in. Keeping the battery charged, helps avoid range anxiety and means you will rarely find yourself waiting for your car to charge. At Zipcar, if you charge one of our electric cars and end your trip on over 60% charge you'll get £20 driving credit! Plus, we'll cover the cost of charging, just like we cover the cost of fuel!

En-route Charging

High-powered rapid chargers are usually needed for en-route charging; just enough to get a coffee, grab a snack and use the loo, these chargers may put more than 100 miles on your electric car.

Range per hour (RPH)

Miles of range per hour of charge.

Kilowatt hour (kWh)

A unit of energy equivalent to the energy transferred in one hour by one thousand watts of power. Electric car batteries are typically measured in kilowatt-hours. 1 kilowatt hour is typically 3-4 miles of range in a BEV.

Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

The main goal of a ULEZ is to improve the quality of the air inside the zone by penalising cars that emit more harmful pollutants with higher fees. All of our vehicles are ULEZ compliant, but if you’re not using a Zipcar you will need to ensure your vehicle meets the standards otherwise you will incur further charges. The ULEZ covers all areas within the North and South Circular roads, click here to find out more.

Fast Charging

Ideal for top-up charging, most fast charge points offer 7kW, ideal for keeping you going while out and about. Typically found in homes, workplaces and in public car parks where people typically spend circa 40 mins or more. Maximum charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger.

Rapid Charging

Typically used for en-route charging on long-distance journeys, rapid chargers can also be used as occasional “caught short” chargers, particularly if available somewhere convenient. Rapid charging takes place from 43kW power and above. Maximum charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger.