Industry terms explained
Our guide to key terms used in the electric vehicle charging industry.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Alternating current (AC) | Electricity that periodically changes direction and is the standard form supplied by the grid for long-distance transmission and distribution. |
| Battery energy storage solution (BESS) | A system that stores electrical energy in batteries for later use, often deployed to support grid stability and provide backup power for charging sites. |
| CCS (Common charging system) | A widely adopted DC fast-charging standard for electric vehicles, combining AC and DC charging capabilities in a single connector. |
| Charge point | The physical station to which an electric vehicle connects in order to recharge its battery. |
| Charge point operator (CPO) | A private business responsible for installing, maintaining and operating the charging facilities (charge points) on a site. |
| Connection agreement | A formal contract between a customer and a DNO or IDNO outlining the terms, costs and responsibilities for connecting a site to the electricity network. |
| Connection point | The physical location where the customer’s electrical installation interfaces with the distribution network. |
| Connection surgery | An engagement meeting between a DNO and an applicant where they discuss the DNO connection options for a project to service charge points at a site. |
| Connections reform | A set of regulatory and process changes led by Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to streamline and accelerate electricity network connections for new demand and generation. |
| Customer sole use assets | Electrical infrastructure (such as cables and transformers) installed specifically for one customer’s connection and not shared with other network users. |
| Demand forecast | The assessment and assumptions gathered to estimate current and future electric vehicle electricity demand for a site, and to inform the optioneering for charge-point installation scenarios, based on expected use cases. This is a required step for connection surgeries and applications. |
| Direct current (DC) | Electricity that flows in one direction only. |
| DNO (distribution network operator) | Responsible for maintaining, repairing and upgrading the electricity distribution network that connects homes and businesses to the national grid. Examples are Scottish and Southern Electric Networks (SSEN) and UK Power Networks (UKPN). |
| eHGV (electric heavy goods vehicle) | An HGV that is powered by an electric drivetrain. |
| Extra-high voltage (EHV) connection | An electrical connection typically above 22kV, used for very large-scale power supply to energy-intensive sites or transmission-level infrastructure. |
| Grid connection | The process of linking a site’s electrical infrastructure to the electricity distribution or transmission network to enable power supply. |
| Grid reinforcement | Upgrades to the electricity network (such as adding capacity or strengthening assets) to accommodate increased demand or generation at a connection point. |
| Grid scale connection | A high-capacity electrical connection designed to support large-scale energy demand or generation, such as freight charging hubs or renewable energy projects. |
| HGV (Heavy goods vehicle) | A vehicle that is heavier than 3,500kg, including cargo, often used interchangeably with LGV. |
| High voltage (HV) connection | An electrical connection of 1000V to 22kV, used for large-scale power supply to high-demand sites such as freight charging hubs. |
| Independent connection provider (ICP) | A company accredited to design and construct electricity connections to the distribution network, operating independently of the local DNO. |
| Independent distribution network operator (IDNO) | Build, own and operate local electricity distribution networks, often in new developments or specific areas, independently of the regional DNOs. |
| LGV (Large goods vehicle) | A vehicle that is heavier than 3,500kg, including cargo, often used interchangeably with HGV. |
| Low voltage (LV) connection | An electrical connection typically below 1kV, suitable for small-scale power supply such as domestic or light commercial installations. |
| MCS (Megawatt charging system) | A high-power charging standard designed for heavy-duty electric vehicles, enabling charging rates of up to several megawatts |
| Motorway service area (MSA) | A designated rest and refuelling area located along motorways, providing facilities such as fuel, food, and parking for drivers and vehicles. |
| Motorway service area operator (MSAO) | A commercial company that manages an MSA site on England’s strategic road network. Examples include Moto and Welcome Break. |
| On-site infrastructure | The physical assets and equipment installed at a location to enable electric vehicle charging, such as chargers, cabling, transformers. |
| Optioneering | The process by which the applicant will assess different grid connection options and select a preferred technical option in line with expected electricity demand and use case. |
| PAS 1899 | A British Standards Institute (BSI) specification that sets out accessibility requirements for electric vehicle charging points, ensuring they're inclusive and usable by disabled people and those with additional needs. |
| Point of connection (PoC) | For each proposed new connection, the point (or points) of physical connection between the DNO’s existing distribution system and the new assets for the extended network. For instance, this may be the point on the existing network where the new connection will be connected, whether by the DNO or an independent connection provider (ICP). This is not a metering point. |
| Public Charge Point Regulations | The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 ensure that the experience of consumers using public charge points across the UK is consistent and positive. These regulations dictate legal obligations with regard to price transparency and payment methods, reliability standards, open data requirements for consumer applications and monitoring, and support for consumers. |
| Strategic road network (SRN) | Motorways and A-roads in England owned and operated by National Highways under its licence as the strategic highways authority for England. |
| Truckstop | A single, geographically discrete site dedicated to serving HGV traffic on or near the strategic road network. |
| Use case | The makeup of expected users at a site. This can be formed of overnight charging, break charging, or ultra-rapid charging, and will most likely consist of a mixed-use scenario. This will determine power and grid connection requirements. |
