Pre-launch: CouponsOffersandDeals is building a directory of dealer-authorized offers and is currently onboarding dealerships. No coupons or car deals are published yet.
Quick definitions for kWh, kW, regen braking, and more.
QUICK ANSWER
The EV terms that matter most: kWh measures battery energy (the size of the tank), kW measures power (how fast energy moves), state of charge is the current battery level, state of health is remaining capacity, EVSE is the charging equipment, and regen braking recovers energy while slowing.
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle powered entirely by a battery and electric motor, with no gas engine. Must be plugged in to refuel.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle with both a battery/electric motor and a gas engine. Can drive a limited distance on electricity alone before switching to gas.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle with a battery and electric motor that assists a gas engine, but can't be plugged in — the battery charges itself through driving and braking.
FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle that generates electricity onboard using hydrogen and a fuel cell. Rare, with very limited fueling infrastructure.
Range
How far a vehicle can travel on a full charge (for EVs) or full tank (for gas cars).
kWh (kilowatt-hour)
The unit used to measure how much energy an EV battery can store — similar to how gallons measure a gas tank's capacity.
kW (kilowatt)
The unit used to measure how fast electricity is delivered — i.e., charging speed or motor power.
Level 1 Charging
Charging from a standard 120V household outlet. Slowest option, typically adding about 3–5 miles of range per hour.
Level 2 Charging
Charging from a 240V circuit, either at home or public stations. Typically adds roughly 10–40 miles of range per hour depending on the charger and vehicle.
DC Fast Charging (Level 3)
High-power charging found at dedicated public stations, delivering direct current straight to the battery. Can typically add 60–80% charge in about 20–40 minutes.
Regenerative braking ("regen")
Technology that captures energy while slowing down or coasting and feeds it back into the battery, rather than losing it as heat like traditional brakes.
Range anxiety
The (often overstated, especially for daily driving) worry about running out of charge before reaching a charger.
State of charge (SOC)
How full the battery currently is, expressed as a percentage — similar to a fuel gauge.
State of health (SOH) / Battery health
A measure of a battery's current capacity relative to when it was new, expressed as a percentage. A key metric when buying a used EV.
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
The technical term for a charging station or home charger — the hardware that delivers power to the vehicle.
Onboard charger
The component inside the vehicle that converts AC power (from Level 1/Level 2 charging) into the DC power the battery stores. DC fast charging bypasses this component.
Traction battery
The main high-voltage battery pack that powers the vehicle — distinct from the smaller 12-volt battery that powers the vehicle's electronics, same as in a gas car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kWh mean on an EV?
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy. Battery capacity is measured in kWh — it is effectively the size of the fuel tank. Efficiency is often expressed as kWh per 100 miles.
What is the difference between kW and kWh?
kW measures power — the rate energy flows, such as a 150 kW fast charger. kWh measures the amount of energy stored or used. Power is the speed; energy is the quantity.
What is regenerative braking?
When you lift off the accelerator or brake, the electric motor runs as a generator, slowing the car and returning energy to the battery instead of wasting it as heat in the brake pads.