About the car

Glossary / Acronyms

Last modified: 2017-11-06

13 min(s) read

AcronymDescription
6060 kWh Tesla Model S / X
7070 kWh Tesla Model S / X
7575 kWh Tesla Model S / X
8585 kWh Tesla Model S / X
9090 kWh Tesla Model S / X
100100 kWh Tesla Model S / X
60D60 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
70D70 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
75D75 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
85D85 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
90D90 kWh Tesla Model S with Dual Motor
100D100 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
AAmpere (amp), the SI unit of electric current
abetterrouteplanner.comA website that plans routes for your Tesla trip, it’s often classed as superior to all other websites/apps (including those run by Tesla)
APAutopilot – See the difference between AP + AP2 on this article
ACAlternating Current – AC and DC are different types of electrical current: batteries naturally produce DC, while rotating machines (motors/generators) naturally produce AC. Since the mains electrical grid is always AC and we want to charge a battery in the car, charging will always involve a combination of AC and DC. In the case of the Model S, “DC” covers Supercharging and use of the CHAdeMO adapter with public fast charging points, and “AC” is everything else.
AP2Autopilot 2 – See the difference on this article
AP2.5An enhanced version of AP2, it contains a superior computer system among other changes.
ASAuto Steer
AWDAll Wheel Drive (4×4)
AwesomeA word that should be mentioned whenever you see anyone called Graham.
BEVBattery electric vehicle. Cars like Tesla or Nissan Leaf are sometimes called BEV to differentiate them from fuel cell vehicles are also electric vehicles.
BHPBrake horsepower (BHP) is the measure of an engine’s horsepower (HP) before the loss in power caused by the gearbox, alternator, differential, water pump, and other auxiliary components such as power steering pump, muffled exhaust system, etc.
Bio Weapon Defence ModeBioweapon defence mode creates a positive cabin air pressure so the air in the cabin remains clean. More info. Bioweapon Defense Mode is not a marketing statement, it is real. You can literally survive a military grade bio-attack by sitting in your car. Also, see HEPA below.
BlackvueA manufacture of dash cameras
BMSBattery Management System.
BulbA home energy provider that offers a fully renewable power supply
CANController Area Network.
CCSCombined Charging System (SAE DC fast charging connector, based on the J1772 in N. America and the Mennekes type 2 plug in Europe)
CeramicCeramic paint protection
CHAdeMOA Japanese-developed standard for EV DC quick charging, often found at Ecotricity, Chargemaster and CYC charger points. The 2nd quickest method to charge your Tesla (if you’ve got the £400+ adaptor available from Tesla).
ChargebumpAn app that allows you to privately message other cars without either parties revealing their private details. You enter the car registration plate of the car you want to ‘bump’ and it sends them an alert, they can then respond with a message e.g. “Back in 5 minutes” etc.
CIDCentral Information Display (see also MCU)
CommandoA type of power socket often found around industrial units, backs of hotels, farms, campsites etc.
CreepA mode on the Tesla that when your foot is off the brake the car will edge forward at somewhere between 0-2mph. Optional on all cars, switch in the settings.
CRMCustomer Relationship Management – Often in relation to the emails they send owners
DDual motor: A Model S equipped with two (front and rear axle) motors, each with a fixed gear reduction and a power inverter to provide all wheel drive. This improves traction, stability, and efficiency at high speed. It also increases the power and performance of the Model S at the expense of higher cost, weight, and smaller frunk space.
DavidOften relates to David from Shield-IT who installs dash cameras
DCDirect Current – AC and DC are different types of electrical current: batteries naturally produce DC, while rotating machines (motors/generators) naturally produce AC. Since the mains electrical grid is always AC and we want to charge a battery in the car, charging will always involve a combination of AC and DC. In the case of the Model S, “DC” covers Supercharging and use of the CHAdeMO adapter with public fast charging points, and “AC” is everything else.
Dash CamA small camera that sits on the windscreen (& often rear screen as well) which constantly records video in case of an accident etc.
DechromeTo remove the chrome parts around the windows of a car
Destination chargerA charger that should be free to use if you’re a Tesla owner and are using the facilities of the location the charger is situated at. e.g. a hotel may offer it but generally it’s only for hotel guests. Of course, in an emergency you should be fine to use but these are much slower than a supercharger so shouldn’t be relied upon for journeys.
DSDelivery Specialists – The people that sort the paperwork out for your collection.
EcotricityA home energy provider that offers fully renewable power and owners of the Electric Highway
EHElectric Highway run by Ecotricity
EMElon Musk
EPAUS Environmental Protection Agency. They test the driving range of electric vehicles and publish on their website. For example the Model S 85 has 265 miles EPA rated range. A list of all electric vehicles and their EPA rated range numbers can be found on the EPA website here. A 5 cycle test is performed to test the range. More info about this test can be found here.
EVElectric Vehicle
EVSEElectric Vehicle Supply Equipment (delivers power to an EV)
Fast (Charging)The term isn’t used very often but it generally relates to AC charging at a rate of 7-22kW
FCVFuel-Cell Vehicle (most likely hydrogen)
FremontThe main production factory for all Tesla vehicles, based in Fremont California
FWD1. Front-wheel drive 2. Falcon wing doors
GFGigafactory
GtechniqA brand of Ceramic Paint Protection
HEPAHigh-efficiency particulate air filter. It filters the air to remove pollen, bacteria, and pollution as it enters the cabin. It’s found on all cars with Bio-Weapon Defense Mode. More info.
HFCVHydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle
HIDHigh Intensity Discharge headlamps
HPHorse Power (see BHP) or Hire Purchase
HPCHigh-Power Connector (a Tesla specific non-portable 240V EVSE)
HPWCHigh-Power Wall Connector (a Tesla specific non-portable 240V EVSE)
HUDHead-Up Display
HW2HardWare 2 (Facelift Cars with AutoPilot 2 Hardware)
ICInstrument Cluster
ICEInternal Combustion Engine
IMOIn My Opinion
InsideEVsA website talking about EVs
IPIntellectual property
J1772A SAE-developed standard for EV electrical connectors & signalling
JC (or Jaffa Cakes)Jaffa Cakes (a long running joke for UK Tesla owners) but only McVities will do. Confused? Read this
kWKilowatt = 1,000 W. Unit of power. Example: “The type 2 charger was 20 kW.”
kWhKilowatt-hour = 1,000 Wh. Unit of energy. Example: “The Model S battery stores 85 kWh energy.”
LLudicrous – A paid option on performance models which give stupidly fast acceleration.
L+ or Ludicrous+Ludicrous+ is an option on P100D models, it allows the car to go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.34 seconds
LanceOften relates to a snow foam lance
LELiquid Elements Ceramic Paint Protection
LEDLED lights / bulbs
LHDLeft Hand Drive
LVLiverpool Victoria – An insurance company in the UK
Maximum PlaidThe next level of acceleration that will supposedly only be for Roadster MK2
MCMulti-coat paint. Example: Tesla’s MC red costs $1500 extra.
MCUMedia Control Unit (the Tesla 17″ touchscreen and the computer and I/O modules mounted behind it), see also CID
MKMilton Keynes
MPGMiles per Gallon
MPGeMiles per Gallon gasoline equivalent
MSModel S
MWMegawatt = 1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
MWhMegawatt-hour = 1,000 kWh = 1,000,000 Wh
MXModel X
M3Tesla Model 3
NEDCNew European Driving Cycle. Electric vehicles sold in Europe advertise their range as NEDC rated range. For example the Model S 85 has 400 km NEDC rated range.
NFUNational Farmers Union – An insurance company in the UK
OLEVOffice for Low Emission Vehicles – They give subsidies/grants on the price of a new EV + the installation of a charger
OPOriginal Poster or Original Post
OpticoatA brand of Ceramic Paint Protection
OTAOver The Air updates (the car updates like your smartphone gets an update)
OVOA home energy provider that offers a fully renewable power supply (optional extra)
PPerformance edition of a Tesla Model S / X
P100DPerformance edition of the 100 kWh Tesla Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
P100DLPerformance edition of the 100 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor with Ludicrous upgrade
P85Performance edition of the 85 kWh Tesla Model S
P85+Performance edition of the 85 kWh Tesla Model S with upgraded suspension and other similarities to the P85D. Discontinued.
P85DPerformance edition of the 85 kWh Tesla Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor, replaced by P90D
P85DLPerformance edition of the 85 kWh Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor with Ludicrous upgrade, replaced by P90DL
P90DPerformance edition of the 90 kWh Tesla Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor
P90DLPerformance edition of the 90 kWh Tesla Tesla Model S / X with Dual Motor with Ludicrous upgrade
PEMPower Electronics Module
PHEVPlug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
PlugShareA website that shows you all the available chargers nearby to your location
POLARPolar is a charging network run by Chargemaster. Polar Instant is the mobile phone payment method. Polar Plus is the pay by card payment method.
Rapid‘Rapid’ often relates to a CCS or CHAdeMO charger
REXRange extender. BMW i3 REX comes with a range extender ICE engine.
RHDRight Hand Drive
RTFMRead the f*cking manual – Often said to someone who asks a question that has been asked thousands of times. Remember you can search any Facebook group by keywords and the UK user manual is accessible on the Tesla website inside your account or a slightly older version is on here which is worth downloading and remember to use your devices search/find function to quickly find the issue you have.
RWDRear Wheel Drive
S85Standard (non-performance) edition of the 85 kWh Tesla Model S
SAService Advisors
SAESociety of Automotive Engineers (now SAE International) A US-based institution that develops standards for automotive and allied industries
SandbanksIs a reference to this post + 500+ comments where the range of a Model X was questioned as it hit 0% and Tesla’s use of NEDC figures during the sales process. It turned out the usage was over 4 days and had a slightly higher than normal Wh/mi.
SCService Center. Although sometimes mistakingly referring to SuperChargers (SuC)
SigTesla Tesla Model S / X, Signature Edition (sometimes also referred to simply as S – e.g. S1 for first sig. vehicle)
Simon (Holbon)An installer of dash cameras and extra lighting in the UK. Details on holbon.co.uk
Single Phase (or 1-phase)A standard power supply to the vast majority of homes and chargers in the UK charger/power.
SOCState of Charge (the % or miles of your battery)
SpCSupercharger
SuCSuperChargers run by Tesla
SvC (SC is more commonly used)Service Center (SC is more commonly used)
TACCTraffic Aware Cruise Control
Three Phase (3-phase)A charger/power adapter/power supply that can give a lot more power than single phase. Often these are found at industrial units, farms etc. You may be able to upgrade your home power supply to a 3-phase supply (at a cost), this will give you considerably higher charge rates at home (more so with dual chargers).
TilburgA town in the Netherlands that the EU Tesla Assembly factory is located. All cars destined for the UK go via this location.
TL;DRToo long didn’t read
TM1. Tesla Motors, Inc. 2. NASDAQ Symbol of Toyota Motor Corp (unlikely to be used)
TMC1. Tesla Motors Club 2. Toyota Motor Corporation 3. Tesla Motors Company (only made in error, not recommended)
TSLANASDAQ stock market symbol for Tesla Motors
UMCUniversal Mobile Connector (a Tesla-specific charging connector cable). Comes included with all new cars.
VVolt, the SI unit of electric potential. V = W/A
VanessaThe elusive Vanessa! She likes to litter, is addicted to coffee and loves a photo! Is she made up or a real owner? Nobody knows!
VallieA now defunct parking company in London that would collect your Tesla, park it, charge it and return it to you via their mobile app
VINVehicle Identification Number.
WWatt, a unit of power. W = V*A
WDWest Drayton Tesla Service Centre
WhWatt-hour, a unit of energy. 1 W applied continuously for 1 hour
Wh/kmWatt-hours per kilometre. Unit of average energy consumption for electric vehicles outside the USA and UK.
Wh/miWatt-hours per mile. Unit of average energy consumption for electric vehicles in the USA and UK.
WrapOften referring to wrapping the car in a protective vinyl
YMMVYour Milage May Vary
Zap-MapA website that shows you charging points
 
 
 

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