| AC charging |
Slower charging where the car converts the electricity itself. Up to 11 kW on a Tesla |
| Charge limit |
The percentage you tell the car to stop charging at |
| CCS2 |
The European rapid-charging plug, used by UK Teslas and most other electric cars |
| CHAdeMO |
An older rapid-charging plug used by some Japanese cars. Doesn't fit a Tesla |
| Charging curve |
How charging speed changes as the battery fills; fastest when low, slowest near full |
| Commando socket |
A blue round industrial socket common at campsites; works with the Mobile Connector and an adapter |
| DC charging |
Rapid charging where the charger converts the electricity; up to 250 kW on a Tesla |
| Destination charger |
A slower charger at a hotel, restaurant or attraction, often a Tesla Wall Connector |
| Idle fee |
A per-minute fee for staying plugged in at a busy Supercharger after charging finishes |
| kW (kilowatt) |
Charging speed: how fast energy goes in |
| kWh (kilowatt-hour) |
Amount of energy, like litres of fuel |
| LFP |
Lithium iron phosphate battery, in many RWD Teslas; happy to be charged to 100% |
| Mobile Connector |
Tesla's portable charger for household and industrial sockets |
| NACS |
The North American version of Tesla's plug; not used in the UK |
| Preconditioning |
Warming or cooling the battery or cabin in advance |
| Rapid charger |
A DC charger of 50 kW or more |
| Regenerative braking |
Using the motor to slow the car and recover energy |
| Supercharger |
Tesla's own rapid-charging network |
| Tethered |
A charger with its own cable attached |
| Type 2 |
The standard AC plug and socket in the UK and Europe |
| Ultra-rapid |
A DC charger of 150 kW or more |
| WLTP |
The official laboratory test used to measure range |