EV Glossary

December 1, 2024

Electric Vehicle Glossary

Term	Explanation
ABS	The ABS or Anti-Lock Brake System is a safety system designed to prevent wheel lockup during braking, which can cause the vehicle to lose control or skid. Vehicles with ABS can maintain steering control during emergency braking, providing enhanced safety for drivers during accidents or sudden stops.
Battery cycles	A battery cycle refers to a full charge from 0% to 100%, not necessarily one charge instance. For example, charging from 50% to 100% counts as half a cycle.
BMS	Stands for Battery Management System. It helps manage and control battery operations. Without BMS, the battery could become damaged or degrade faster than normal.
CBS	Stands for Combi Brake System, which integrates front and rear brakes. It distributes braking force between the two wheels for efficient and controlled stopping, preventing skidding or wheel lockup.
Controller (Control Box)	Manages and monitors the operation of all systems related to electric vehicle propulsion.
Cruise Control	A system that maintains the vehicle's speed automatically without requiring the driver to continually twist the throttle. It mimics human driving to keep the speed constant, ideal for non-congested roads.
CTC (Cell-to-Chassis)	A design concept where the battery cells are integrated directly into the chassis. This enhances space and weight efficiency, improves vehicle structure strength, and increases heat dissipation.
C-Rate (Maximum Current)	The maximum current a battery can supply without damage, measured as a multiple of the battery's capacity. For example, a 100 Ah battery with a C-rate of 10 can supply 10 amps. Manufacturers often set low C-rates to extend battery life and prevent overheating. Users should check the C-rate before usage.
DC Brushless motor	A motor without brushes, offering a longer lifespan and less maintenance. Electric vehicles with such motors have better propulsion power, but these motors are typically more expensive.
Displayer	A digital display screen.
Ground Clearance	The distance from the ground to the lowest point of the vehicle's body, usually under the chassis.
Keyless Remote	A system allowing the vehicle to start without using a key.
kW or Kilowatt	A unit of electrical power, used to calculate the flow rate of electricity. For example, a home charger that delivers 7 kW supplies 7 kW of electricity per hour.
Normal Charge (Standard Charging)	Refers to charging with alternating current (AC), suitable for all electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. AC charging is ideal for overnight charging at home, as it can be done directly from household power and is more affordable.
Fast charge / Quick charge (Fast Charging)	Refers to charging with direct current (DC). DC charges the vehicle battery directly without using the onboard charger, making it suitable for quick charging. As DC is more powerful, charging times are shorter but costs are higher.
FOC (Field-Oriented Control)	A modern motor control technology, especially for controlling motors that use permanent magnets.
Headlight	The front lights of the vehicle.
Hub Motor	The motor is located in the rear wheel hub of an electric motorcycle, driving the vehicle. Advantages include being lightweight, quiet, durable, easy to maintain, and aesthetically clean due to hidden wiring. The rear-wheel placement improves vehicle stability during driving.
Max Load	The maximum weight the vehicle can carry, excluding its own weight.
Mid drive Motor (Mid-Drive Motor)	A mid-drive motor is mounted near the sprocket and connected to the chain or belt. High-speed electric motorcycles often prefer this motor over hub motors because hub motors, being located at the wheels, are prone to overheating, leading to potential tire blowouts. Mid-drive motors have better heat dissipation and may come with air or water cooling systems.
NFC CARD	NFC (Near Field Communication) technology enables close-range digital content exchange and device communication. In electric motorcycles, NFC cards are used for keyless vehicle start-up.
Range	Measures how far an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge, typically expressed in kilometers. Testing methods and conditions may vary, affecting the accuracy of this measurement.
Safety Break	A brake safety switch that cuts off the electrical circuit from the throttle when the brake is engaged, enhancing safety by preventing the vehicle from not stopping.
Seat Height	The height of the seat from the ground.
SoC (State of Charge)	Indicates the remaining energy in the electric vehicle’s battery, displayed as a percentage from 0% (empty) to 100% (full). This value is derived from measuring the voltage of individual battery cells and comparing it to the total battery capacity.
TCS (Traction Control System)	A system that prevents wheel slip by maintaining traction when accelerating on slippery surfaces, such as wet roads or unpaved paths. If the rear wheel begins to slip, the system controls engine power until traction is restored.
Torque (Maximum Torque)	Refers to the rotational force generated by the engine’s shaft, which propels the vehicle forward. Higher torque enhances acceleration, measured in Newton-meters per revolution per minute (Nm/rpm).
Tubeless	A type of tire that doesn't have an inner tube, featuring stronger inner fabric and outer rubber. Advantages include longer air retention and extended tire life compared to traditional tube tires.
WMTC (World Motorcycle Test Cycle)	A testing standard for fuel consumption and emissions in electric motorcycles under United Nations regulations. In Thailand, this includes testing the range of electric motorcycles per full charge, typically with a battery capacity of 3 kWh or more.
Battery Capacity	Refers to the amount of electricity a battery can store, measured in two units:Ampere-hour (Ah): A continuous measure of how much current a battery can supply over an hour. For instance, a 100 Ah battery can provide 100 amps for one hour or 1 amp for 100 hours.Kilowatt-hour (kWh): A measure of energy capacity, indicating how much electrical energy a battery can deliver. For example, a home charger that provides 7 kW over 8 hours would deliver 56 kWh.
LCD Display	A screen that uses liquid crystals to allow light to pass through color filters (red, blue, green) to display an image.
TFT Display	Known for producing high-quality images with deep blacks and vibrant colors, TFT technology is ideal for high-end displays such as televisions, computer monitors, and smartphones.
Disc Brake	A disc brake system consists of a disc attached to the wheel axle. When the vehicle moves, the disc rotates with the wheel. A caliper clamps the disc to slow down the vehicle.
Drum Brake	A drum brake system, often found on budget vehicles, typically installed on rear wheels. It consists of a metal drum attached to the wheel hub, which rotates with the wheel, and brake shoes that press against the drum to slow the vehicle.
Gear Position P	Used when parking. In some electric motorcycles, it may also refer to the "power" mode.
Gear Position S	The sport mode, offering high acceleration, useful when climbing steep inclines.
Gear Position E	The economy mode for efficient energy use.
Gear Position N	The neutral gear position.
Gear Position R	The reverse gear position.
Battery	A source of electricity that converts chemical energy into electrical energy for use. Batteries provide direct current (DC) and consist of one or more cells.
Graphene Battery	An improved version of lead-acid batteries with added graphene components, offering better conductivity, faster charging with less heat, higher energy capacity, enhanced safety, durability, and affordability compared to lithium batteries.
Lead-Acid Battery	A rechargeable battery commonly used in vehicles, available in both wet and dry forms. These batteries are used for engine ignition and as backup power during outages. Lead-acid batteries are inexpensive due to simple manufacturing processes and readily available materials, with a lifespan of 2-5 years.
Lithium Battery	The most commonly used battery today, found in a variety of electronic devices, including mobile phones, lawnmowers, electric vehicles, scooters, and golf carts. Lithium-ion batteries are vital for the development of electric vehicles.
Solid-State Battery	A battery that uses solid electrolytes, offering higher safety due to reduced fire risk, greater stability, higher energy density, and superior energy storage efficiency compared to lithium-ion batteries. These batteries can charge quickly but are still under development and are relatively expensive.
OTA (Over-The-Air) Function	Automatically downloads upgrade packages via the network.
IP67 Standard	The full name is International Protection Standard, which indicates the level of protection against solid objects and liquids. The two digits following the IP code indicate the level of protection against solids and liquids.
Shock Absorber (Suspension System)	Commonly referred to as ‘shock absorbers,’ this system ensures vehicle control and braking safety, providing comfort when driving over bumpy or uneven roads. It helps smooth out the ride and maintains tire contact with the road for better vehicle stability.
Wheelbase	The distance between the center of the front axle and the center of the rear axle.
Charging Time	The time it takes to charge the battery from 0% to 100% with AC (alternating current) from a household power source, and from 20% to 80% when using a DC (direct current) charging station.
Voltage	Measured in volts (V), voltage indicates the potential electric force a battery can supply. For example, a 12-volt battery can supply 1 amp for 1 hour or 10 amps for 12 minutes.
Kickstand Switch	A sensor switch that cuts off the power to the motor when the kickstand is down.
Breaker Switch	A switch system that cuts off the vehicle’s electrical circuit when not in use for extended periods. The breaker is usually located under the seat.
LED Light	LED lights consume minimal current, around 1-20mA. They have a long lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on the quality, environmental factors, and operating conditions, making them longer-lasting than other light sources.
Type 2 Charging Plug	A commonly used AC (alternating current) charging plug for electric vehicles in Europe, China, and South Korea. It is a 7-pin connector delivering 3.7 kW, but some manufacturers have developed a 3-phase version that delivers up to 22 kW. This type of plug is widely used in Thailand.