Electric Car Glossary - A

A

 

Ampere

 

AGM

 

Absorbed Glass Mat

 

Ah

 

Amp-hour

 

Absorbed (or absorptive) Glass Mat

 

A technique for sealed lead-acid batteries. The electrolyte is absorbed in a matrix of glass fibers, which holds the electrolyte next to the plate, and immobilizes it preventing spills. AGM batteries tend to have good power characteristics, low internal resistance, and good behavior during charging.

AER - All Electric Range

Distance measurement used for hybrid car's ability to rely on electric drive.

AT-PZEV

Short for Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles. Vehicles that meet California Air Resources Board's requirements for SULEV exhaust emissions, zero fuel evaporative emissions, 150,000-mile emissions durability and an extended emission systems warranty, are referred to as AT-PZEVs.

Electric Car Glossary - B

BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle

A battery-electric vehicles use an electric motor for power source. The electricity powering the motor is stored in a battery pack that must be recharged from an electric power source.

By-Wire Technology

Similarly to "Fly-by-Wire" technology found in fighter planes, hybrid car "Drive-by-Wire" technology replaces mechanical connections with electrical connections to reduce weight and provide more sophisticated and reliable responsiveness.

Electric Car Glossary - C

CaFCP - California Fuel Cell Partnership

The California Fuel Cell Partnership is a unique collaborative of auto manufacturers, energy companies, fuel cell technology companies, and government agencies to promote moving towards a sustainable energy future, increasing energy efficiency and reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.

CBG - Cleaner Burning Gasoline

Cleaner-burning gasoline is fuel that meets requirements established by the California Air Resources Board (ARB). All gasoline sold in California for use in motor vehicles must meet these requirements, which have been in effect since Spring 1996.

Electric Car Glossary - E

ECD

 

Energy Conversion Devices

 

Electrode

 

A conductor by which electrical current enters or leaves a non-metallic medium, such as the electrolyte in a battery (as well as vacuum tubes and lots of other devices).

 

Electrolyte

 

An elctrically conductive medium, in which current flow is due to the movement of ions. In a lead-acid battery, the electrolyte is a solution of sulfuric acid. In other batteries, the electrolyte may be very different.

EV - Electric Vehicle

An electric vehicle is a vehicle that uses electric motors for power source. Examples of EVs are metros, most trams, and for some trains.

Electric-only mode

Also known as Stealth Mode. In full hybrid cars, electric-only mode allows the vehicle to drive at low speeds without the engine turning on.

Electric Car Glossary - F

FCEV - Fuel Cell Vehicle

A fuel cell vehicle is an electric vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel instead of a battery to produce electricity. There are no moving parts, as the fuel cell utilizes a catalyst to perform a chemical process that combines oxygen from the air with hydrogen fuel to produce electricity.

Electric Car Glossary - H

HFEDS - Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule

One of the two EPA fuel economy tests, which consists driving routines, or schedules, performed in the laboratory.

HEV-20

Hybrid car with a 20 miles All Electric Range.

Hybrid Car

A hybrid car refers to a vehicle that has two sources of power: gasoline and electricity. Today's hybrids combine a gasoline engine with one or more electric motors (and a traction battery pack).

Hybrid Car battery

There are two batteries on hybrid vehicles, the traction battery and the auxiliary 12-volt battery, which powers accessories and the car's computer.

Hybrid Car Engine

In hybrid cars, engine refers to the gasoline combustion engine, not the electric motor.

Hybrid Synergy Drive

Toyota's next generation hybrid powertrain, improving upon the Toyota Hybrid System in the original Prius.

Electric Car Glossary - L

Low-Emission Level Standards

There are several measurement standards for low-emission cars, including California Air Resources Board standards known as LEV II, Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) and Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standards. There is also a Federal standard called Tier 2-Bin 3.

Electric Car Glossary - N

NEV

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. EVs that operate below highway speeds. Are not meant for highway use.

Electric Car Glossary - R

Regenerative braking

Regenerative braking is a feature in hybrid cars that allows the motor to act as a generator when braking. The process converts kinetic energy of the car's motion into electric energy that recharges the battery.

Electric Car Glossary - T

Type I (Low Voltage/Low Power) Hybrid Car

Type I hybrids are a definition by the California Air Resources Board, and the term was actually originally conceived as an industry-standard improvement to the 12-volt systems in all conventional cars (to 42-volt systems). Type I vehicles can only be called hybrids if they provide traction power to the wheels, offer regenerative braking and have an idle-stop feature that turns engine off at a stop.

Type II (High Voltage/Low Power) Hybrid Car

Also known as an "assist" or "mild" hybrid. Type II hybrid car is a definition by the California Air Resources Board for hybrids that typically have a smaller traction battery and motor, and provide peak power for the engine during acceleration. However, Type II hybrids currently in production do not allow electric-only driving.

Type III (High Voltage/High Power) Hybrid Car

Also known as "full" hybrids. Type III hybrids are a definition by the California Air Resources Board for hybrid cars that can operate in electric-only mode during low-power driving.