EV Charging Glossary: EVSE, CPO, eMSP and More
A reference for common terms used in EV charging procurement and operation.
Equipment terms
EVSE means electric vehicle supply equipment. A charging station may contain one or more charging points and connectors; connector count is not always equal to the number of vehicles that can charge simultaneously.
Operator terms
CPO means charge point operator. eMSP is an e-mobility service provider that offers charging-related services to drivers. They can exchange roaming data through protocols such as OCPI.
Technical terms
OCPP is the charge-point-to-backend protocol; ISO 15118 addresses vehicle-to-charger communication. kW measures power, while kWh measures energy. A public site should define these terms in procurement documents.
Define terms in procurement documents
EVSE is the equipment supplying energy to an EV. A station, point and connector are not always one-to-one. CPO describes the infrastructure operator, while eMSP describes a service provider interfacing with EV drivers. A clear glossary prevents ambiguity in tenders.
Related protocol terms
OCPP generally carries charger-to-backend management communication. OCPI often supports CPO-to-eMSP exchange and roaming, while ISO 15118 focuses on vehicle-to-EVSE communication. AFIR is EU infrastructure legislation, not a product model identifier.
Can one station serve two vehicles at once because it has two plugs?
Not necessarily. The manufacturer must specify simultaneous active charging points and their available combined output.
Primary references
- European Alternative Fuels Observatory — Recharging systems ↗
- Open Charge Alliance — OCPP protocols ↗
- EVRoaming Foundation — OCPI ↗
Educational content, not installation or legal advice. Check current standards and local requirements.
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