Learn the key ev charging terms used across the Ivy charging network. Tap a section below to expand and learn more.
Electric vehicle types.
What types of electric vehicles (evs) are there?
Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
A fully electric vehicle with no backup engine. BEVs run entirely on electricity and must be plugged in to charge.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
A vehicle with both an electric battery and a gas engine. The battery can be charged externally using an ev charger.
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)
HEVs have a battery but cannot be plugged in to charge. The battery charges through regenerative braking and the gas engine.
Power & energy.
What is a watt, kilowatt (kW), and kilowatt-hour (kWh)?
Watt (W)
A unit of measurement for power — how fast electricity flows.
Kilowatt (kW)
1 kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. Chargers are rated in kilowatts to show how quickly they deliver power.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of energy. It measures how much electricity is delivered during a charging session.
Example: A 50kW charger running for 1 hour delivers 50kWh.
Charging levels.
What is the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging?
Level 1 (120V)
Uses a standard household outlet. No special installation required.
Charging time: 24+ hours for a full charge.
Level 2 (240V)
Uses a 240V outlet and charges much faster than Level 1.
Typical power range: 7kW–22kW.
Level 3 (DC Fast Charging)
Uses direct current (DC) for rapid charging.
Typical power range: 30kW–500kW.
Many vehicles can charge from 10% to 80% in under an hour.
Connector types.
What are J1772, CCS, CHAdeMO, and NACS connectors?
SAE J1772 (J Plug)
The standard AC connector in north america. Used for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. Tesla drivers can use an adapter.
CCS (Combined Charging System - CCS1)
A DC fast charging connector commonly used by most modern evs in north america.
CHAdeMO
An older DC charging standard used on some vehicles such as certain Nissan models.
NACS (North American Charging Standard)
Tesla’s connector type. Supports both AC and DC charging. Many automakers are transitioning to NACS starting in 2025.
AC vs DC charging.
What is the difference between AC and DC charging?
Alternating current (AC)
Power flows from the wall to your vehicle’s onboard charger, which converts it to DC before storing it in the battery. Used in Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
Direct current (DC)
The charger converts AC to DC before it reaches your vehicle. Used in Level 3 (DC Fast Charging) for significantly faster speeds.
What affects charging speed.
What factors impact how fast my Ev charges?
Your vehicle
Every ev has a maximum charging rate. Your car will only charge at the lower of:
- The charger’s maximum output
- Your vehicle’s maximum acceptance rate
Your charger.
Level 3 chargers charge faster than Level 2, which charge faster than Level 1.
Battery temperature.
Extreme cold or hot weather can reduce charging speeds. The optimal temperature range for charging is 10°C to 25°C.
Charging curve.
Charging naturally slows after 80% to protect the battery. Charging from 85% to 100% can take nearly as long as charging from 10% to 80%.