Clearer Charger Language Means More Charging Sessions
The industry speaks in terms like AC, DC, kW, Level 2, NACS, and CCS. But even within the industry, the language is not always consistent. One operator may describe charging as “AC,” while another uses “Level 2.” Some say “plug,” while others say “connector.” Drivers are left to work out what each term means.
Not every driver knows these terms. Some will hesitate. Some will call support. Some will leave without charging. For a charge point operator, that confusion can mean more support requests and fewer charging sessions.
Plain language is part of the charging experience. It helps drivers go from arriving at the site to starting a session with less confusion and more confidence.
The gap between how the industry talk and how drivers think
People in EV charging use phrases like “authentication required,” “idle fee,” and “session terminated” every day. They feel normal to us. For drivers, it may not explain what is happening or what to do next.
Drivers usually arrive with simple questions:
How long will it take?
How much will this cost?
Is this the right plug?
Did charging start?
What should I do if it stops?
Charging cannot be designed only for enthusiasts willing to learn the terminology. It also needs to work for everyday buyers including those buying a used EV, who simply want a car that meets their needs. They should be able to understand what to do as easily as they would when filling a tank.
Where Plain Language Matters
Clear wording matters wherever drivers interact with your network:
Map and app listings, where drivers decide before they arrive
The charger screen, where they decide whether to start
Signs on site, where they find the right stall and the right steps
The price display, where confusing fees can lose trust fast
Receipts and emails, where drivers check what happened
Reports to hosts, where the value of the site has to be clear
A useful test is to read each one as if you were a first-time driver with no background. If you have to stop and think, so will they.
Before and after
Plain language does not mean removing every technical term. It means explaining what the information means for the driver and making the next step clear.
Here's how we can improve from Technical wording ➡️ Plain Wording.
DC Fast Charging, up to 150kW ➡️ Fast charging up to 150kW. Actual speed depends on your car and battery conditions.
Level 2, 7kW ➡️ Charging at up to 7 kW. A good option when you plan to stay for several hours.
$0.45/kWh + $0.40/min idle after 10 min ➡️Charging costs $0.45 per kWh. Once your car is full, you have 10 minutes to unplug. After that, you pay $0.40 for each extra minute.
Session terminated: communication error ➡️ Charging stopped because the charger could not communicate with your car. Please try again or contact support.
Connector: CCS1 / NACS ➡️ Available plug types: CCS1 and NACS. Check which one fits your car.
Each rewrite gives the driver more context or a clearer next step. The technical information remains available, but drivers are not left to interpret it alone. Some messages need additional detail to be complete. In the idle fee example, the display must say exactly when the 10 minutes start. Payment instructions must match what your network really accepts. A help message must point to support that is actually available.
Simplifying a message should never mean hiding a fee, overstating charging speed, or promising a result the charger cannot reliably deliver.
The goal is not fewer words at any cost. It is less effort to understand the information that matters.