Electric Vehicle Charging Payments Glossary
Electric Vehicle Charging Payments Glossary

The U.S. Payments Forum Electric Vehicle Charging Glossary defines a common set of terms and standards that support clear understanding of electric vehicle (EV) charging payments across the industry. Focused on terminology relevant to payment approaches, this resource promotes consistency in how stakeholders communicate about this rapidly evolving area of commerce.

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CHAdeMO
A direct-current (DC) fast-charging standard developed in Japan, used by some electric vehicles for rapid charging.
Charge Point Operator (CPO)
An entity responsible for the operation and maintenance of charging stations. CPOs ensure that stations are functional, accessible, and integrated with various payment and communication protocols. Also known as Charging Station Operator (CSO).
Charging Station 
The equipment that is used to charge an electric vehicle. The term is sometimes used to refer to a location or site that hosts electric vehicle charging.
Combined Charging System (CCS)
A widely used fast-charging standard that combines AC and DC connectors, allowing faster charging speeds via DC current. CCS1 is predominantly used in North America, while CCS2 is the standard in Europe and other regions. The main difference lies in the AC charging connector: CCS1 uses a Type 1 (J1772) connector, while CCS2 uses a Type 2 (Mennekes) connector.

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