Getting confident · 4 min read
Understanding EV Jargon & Spec Sheets
kWh vs kW, WLTP vs real-world range, AC vs DC, CCS vs Type 2 — decoded in plain English.
Energy and power
- ✓kWh — battery capacity, roughly your 'tank size'
- ✓kW — the rate of energy transfer (motor output or charger speed)
- ✓kWh = how much; kW = how fast
Range figures
- ✓WLTP — the standardised lab-condition estimate
- ✓Real-world range — typically lower, varies with speed and weather
- ✓Motorway driving usually falls meaningfully below WLTP
Charging types
- ✓AC — home and public 'fast' chargers, up to 22kW
- ✓DC — rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers
- ✓CCS — the standard rapid-charging connector in the UK
- ✓Type 2 — the standard AC connector in the UK
Efficiency
- ✓Miles per kWh (mi/kWh) — the EV equivalent of MPG
- ✓Battery degradation — normal, gradual capacity loss over years
Charging speed and curves
Rapid charging isn't constant — it's fastest when the battery is emptier and slows down as it approaches full. That's why charging to 80% is usually quicker overall than waiting for 100% on a long trip. Peak charging speed is the maximum kW a car can accept, only briefly, under ideal conditions.
Other common terms
- ✓Regenerative braking — recovering energy when slowing down
- ✓Preconditioning — warming the cabin/battery before use
- ✓V2G / V2L — sending power back to the grid or external devices
- ✓Smart charger — scheduling, app control, tariff eligibility
Heads up: Carautonomy is for general guidance only. Always check your car's handbook, your energy supplier and current UK government guidance for the specifics that apply to your setup.