- EV (Electric Vehicle) – A vehicle powered entirely by electricity, with no internal combustion engine.
- BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) – A fully electric vehicle that relies solely on a rechargeable battery for power.
- HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency.
- PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – A hybrid vehicle that can be charged via an external power source to drive short distances on electric power alone.
- kWh (Kilowatt-hour) – A unit of energy used to measure battery capacity in EVs, representing how much energy the battery can store.
- Regenerative Braking – A system that captures energy lost during braking and converts it into electricity to recharge the battery.
- Range Anxiety – The concern that an electric vehicle’s battery may run out of charge before reaching a charging point.
- ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) – A traditional petrol or diesel engine found in non-electric vehicles.
- Charging Station – A place where electric vehicles can be plugged in to recharge their batteries, widely available across New Zealand.
- Fast Charger – A type of charger that delivers electricity to EVs more quickly than standard chargers; New Zealand’s public charging network includes several fast charging stations.
- AC Charging (Alternating Current) – The standard method of charging EVs, often used for home charging; generally slower than DC fast charging.
- DC Fast Charging (Direct Current) – A quicker method of charging, commonly available at public charging stations across New Zealand.
- Range – The total distance an electric vehicle can travel on a full charge, often impacted by driving conditions and terrain.
- MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent) – A metric used to compare the energy consumption of electric vehicles to traditional petrol-powered vehicles, though in New Zealand, energy efficiency is often expressed in kWh/100km.
- EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) – The hardware used to supply electricity to an EV for charging; commonly referred to as a charger.
- V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) – A technology that allows EVs to return stored energy back to the power grid, potentially helping to balance electricity supply and demand.
- Tesla Supercharger – A high-speed charging network developed by Tesla for its vehicles, with several stations available in New Zealand.
- Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) – A vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions, such as electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, aligning with New Zealand’s goal of reducing emissions.
- State of Charge (SoC) – The current charge level of an EV’s battery, typically expressed as a percentage.
- Level 1 Charging – The slowest form of charging, using a standard household power outlet (230V in New Zealand).
- Level 2 Charging – Faster charging using a dedicated charging unit, often installed at home or workplaces, with 240V power.
- Level 3 Charging – Also known as DC fast charging, offering rapid charging at public stations.
- Onboard Charger – The system inside an EV that converts AC electricity from a charging station into the DC electricity used by the battery.
- Battery Management System (BMS) – A system that monitors and regulates the performance of an EV’s battery to ensure safety and longevity.
- Public Charging Network – A network of charging stations available across New Zealand, including services like ChargeNet.
- EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) – A New Zealand government agency that supports EV uptake and provides information on charging infrastructure and EV incentives.
- Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) – The New Zealand government body responsible for road transport, including policies on EVs.
- Renewable Energy Charging – Charging an EV using electricity generated from renewable sources, which is common in New Zealand due to the country’s high reliance on hydroelectricity.
- Frunk – A front trunk, common in EVs since they don’t have a traditional engine, providing extra storage space.
- Tow Rating – The maximum weight an EV can tow, important in New Zealand where towing boats and trailers is common.
