EV glossary

Short, factual explanations of the terms you'll meet in the spec tables and the comparison tool.

WLTP: The standardised European test cycle for range and consumption. WLTP figures are comparable between cars, but real-world range (motorway, winter) is often lower.
WLTP range: Distance on a single charge per the WLTP cycle. We list the upper bound — the base configuration, because smaller wheels go further.
Usable vs total battery: Usable (net) capacity is the energy actually available for driving; total (gross) includes a protective buffer. We list usable — it's what determines range.
Energy consumption: How many kWh the car draws per 100 km, including charging losses. Lower consumption means lower cost and more range. It's the basis of the energy-cost calculator.
Power (kW / PS): Electric-motor power. We quote metric horsepower (PS): 1 kW is about 1.36 PS. Note that PS is not the same as US hp — 1 PS is 735.5 W, 1 hp is 745.7 W. Tables show both units, and the power-unit abbreviation is adapted to the market.
Drivetrain (FWD/RWD/AWD): FWD drives the front axle, RWD the rear, AWD both (usually with two motors). AWD gives better traction but usually slightly reduces range on the same battery.
DC charging (direct current): Fast charging at public stations, measured in kW. The higher the DC power and the better the charging curve, the shorter the stop.
AC charging (alternating current): Slow charging — at home, work or a lamp post — limited by the car's onboard charger (usually 11 or 22 kW). For overnight charging.
10–80% charging time: How many minutes DC charging takes from 10% to 80% of the battery. This is the standard fast-charge window — above 80% charging slows down markedly.
Charging curve and C-rate: Charging power isn't constant — it rises and falls during a session. Peak DC power is the maximum; the real 10–80% time depends on the whole curve.
400 V / 800 V architecture: The car's system voltage. 800 V allows higher charging power and shorter stops than 400 V, provided the station supports it.
Regenerative braking: When slowing down, the motor works as a generator and returns energy to the battery, extending range — especially in the city.
One-pedal driving: A mode where lifting off the accelerator brakes strongly via regeneration, down to a stop — in most situations without touching the brake pedal.
Heat pump: An efficient cabin-heating system that uses less energy than a plain resistive heater. It significantly protects range in winter.
V2L (power from the car): The ability to power external devices from the car's battery through a 230 V socket. Useful for camping or working off-grid.
BEV, PHEV and hybrid: A BEV is fully electric (battery only). A PHEV is a plug-in hybrid. This catalogue covers BEVs only.
Segments (A–F): The European size classification: A city, B supermini, C compact, D mid-size, E executive, F luxury. It makes it easy to compare cars of the same class.