Glossary

Activation Overview

Real-time information on charging processes can be called up in the "Activation Overview" menu item of the vaylens portal. The status of a charging process is displayed here, from the user's authentication at the charging station to the creation of a charging receipt, so that the progress of a charging process and any errors that occur can be tracked.

Ad Hoc Charging

Ad Hoc charging enables charging at charging stations without having to register beforehand.

AFIR

The AFIR Regulation (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) of 2023 is a legally binding instrument. According to this regulation, EU member states are obliged to comply with certain rules when it comes to the provision of public charging stations. This applies to both charging point operators (CPO) and electric mobility providers (MSP).

AID 

Access ID or AID, also referred to as "Chargeport Group" in vaylens portal

API

Application Programming Interface (API). An interface for connecting and transferring data between different software and hardware components.

Backend

Backend refers to the software and systems that enable the effective operation, management and optimization of charging infrastructure.

BDR 

Billing Detail Record (BDR). Charging receipt that is created when the charging process is successful.

Blocking fee

A blocking fee is a charge per minute that can be set after a certain charging time (in minutes) in addition to the applicable charges per kWh. To be compared with car parking charges.

Calibration law 

The term "calibration law" covers laws and regulations that ensure the accuracy and reliability of measuring devices. In accordance with European Directive 2014/94/EU, it has been necessary since 1 April 2019 for electricity at public charging stations to be supplied via charging stations that comply with calibration law. In Germany, the Measurement and Verification Act (MessEG), the Measurement and Verification Ordinance (MessEV) and the Price Indication Ordinance (PAngV) provide the legal framework for this European directive. Billing is standardised according to kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed in order to ensure reasonable, clear, comparable and transparent prices.

CCS plug type

CCS is a combined plug type that supports both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) and is a European fast-charging standard.

CDR

Charge Detail Record (CDR). Charging receipt for charging processes that run via Roaming.

ChaDeMo plug type

CHAdeMO is a fast-charging system for battery electric vehicles, developed in 2010 by the CHAdeMO Association, formed by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and five major Japanese automakers. 

Charge mode

The charge mode indicates whether alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) can be used for charging at the charging point.

Charge point

A charge point is a connector/s at the charging station that can be used to charge an electric vehicle.

Charge port

Synonym for charge point

Charger

A charger is a device used to supply electrical energy to recharge the battery of an electric vehicle. It converts electrical power from an external power source, such as the electric grid, into a form that can be stored in the vehicle's battery for later use. Chargers come in various types and power levels, ranging from basic household chargers to high-power fast chargers used in public charging stations. 

Charging infrastructure

Charging infrastructure refers to the network of physical infrastructure and supporting systems that enable the charging of electric vehicles.This includes the chargers and the required connection equipment as well as supporting infrastructure like signage or parking spaces and a backend system.

Charging session

A charging session refers to the period of time during which an electric vehicle (EV) is connected to a charger and receives electrical energy to recharge its battery.

Charging station

Charging station is a synonym for charger but can also refer to a group of chargers.

Charging Station Connectivity Tester

If an installer sets up and configures the charging station on site, the Charging Station Connectivity Tester can be used to test in advance whether the charging station can be connected to vaylens.

Checkbill

CheckBill is a transparency software that enables the CPO to check selected loading data end-to-end for compliance with calibration law.

Claiming Code

If the connectivity test (between the charging station and vaylens) via the Charging Station Connectivity Tester is successful, you will receive a claiming code that is required to integrate the charging station into vaylens.

CPMS

Charge Point Management System (CPMS). IT system for managing charge points

CPO

A Charge Point Operator (CPO) is a company or entity that owns, operates, and maintains electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The role of a CPO involves managing the infrastructure and services related to EV charging.

DC 

Direct Current (DC). A type of electric current that has a constant direction of movement. 

DCH 

A Demand Clearing House (DCH) is an entity that facilitates the clearing and settlement of financial transactions between parties. vaylens acts as DCH for all its customers to ensure reliable and risk-free payment and invoicing.

Direct Payment

Direct Payment offers you as a CPO the opportunity to grant customers access to your charging point even if they have not entered into a contract with an MSP. These customers can charge using a QR code at the charging station via the ePower direct website and eCharge+ app. Direct Payment customers can pay by credit card and PayPal. The costs for using the charging points are then deducted from this. The purpose of Direct Payment is to enable barrier-free charging on a legal basis.

EKA

"eichrechtskonforme Abrechnungsdaten". Billing data that comply with calibration law. The EKA file serves as proof that the selected charging process complies with calibration law. Depending on the type and protocol of the charge point, the proof is available in different forms. For the OCPP/OCMF and LG2WAN protocols, the files are stored in electronic form and can be downloaded for valid charging processes. Proof of other types and protocols must be requested directly from the charge point operator or directly at the charger. 

EMAID

EMAID (also referred to as emobility Contract-ID) stands for "e-Mobility Account Identifier" and is used to uniquely identify your customer. An EMAID consists of the country code (e.g. DE), the provider ID of the e-mobility provider (3 digits), a 9-digit alphanumeric character string (eMA Instance) and a check digit.

Example: DE*ABC*E1A2B3C4*9

Under "EMAID/RFID Management" you can display, create and edit EMAIDs yourself.

EV 

Electric vehicle (EV). Unlike conventional internal combustion engine vehicles that rely on gasoline or diesel, electric vehicles are powered by one or more electric motors and use electricity as their primary source of propulsion.

EVSE ID

The EVSE ID is used for the internationally standardised identification of charge points and is therefore the equivalent of the charge point ID in the vaylens portal. The assignment of an EVSE ID is necessary if you want to commercialise the charger via Roaming+.

HBS

Hubject Backend System (HBS)

HTTP Basic Password

The HTTP Basic Password is required to establish a connection between a charger and the backend system. More information here.

Hubject

Roaming Hub

ICCID

The Integrated Circuit Card Identifier (ICCID) is a globally unique electronic serial number that can be used to identify a SIM card. 

IMEI 

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to mobile phones and other cellular devices and serves as a form of identification.

IMSI 

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is the globally unique number for identifying network subscribers. 

ISO-15118 

The ISO 15118 standard focuses on the communication between electric vehicles (EVs) and the charging infrastructure, specifically for the purpose of charging electric vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. The standard primarily defines the communication protocol and procedures used during the charging process, including authentication, authorization, and billing.

kWh

kilowatt hour (kWh)

LG2WAN

LG2WAN is a communication protocol for communication between charge point and backend.

Load management

Load management is the process of controlling and optimizing the distribution of electrical load on the power grid to accommodate the charging demands of electric vehicles. By implementing intelligent load management strategies, stakeholders can maximize the benefits of electric transportation while minimizing its potential drawbacks on grid stability and energy costs.

LSG 

LSG is a controller of an LG2WAN charger (old generation) while one charge point can be controlled/monitored by one LSG (1:1).

LSX

LSX is a controller of an LG2WAN charger while there can be one or two charge points per LSX ([1..2]:1).

MDP

Multitenant Direct Payment (MDP) provides multitenant support for direct payment for charging services via different payment methods like Paypal, Giropay or credit card with CPO specific branding of the ePower Direct webpage.

OCMF

Open Charge Metering Format (OCMF) is a calibration authorisation method for charging points with OCPP protocol.

OCPI

Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) is an open protocol used for the connection between charging station operators and service providers. This protocol facilitates automated roaming for EV drivers between different EV charging networks.

OCPP

Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a communication protocol for communication between charge point and backend.

OICP

Open InterCharge Protocol (OICP) is a communication protocol for communication with the Hubject Backend System (HBS)

OpenADR

The Open Automated Demand Response (OpenADR) is a standard that defines "the interface to the functions and features of a Demand Response Automation Server (DRAS) that is used to facilitate the automation of customer response to various Demand Response programs and dynamic pricing through a communicating client. This specification, referred to as OpenADR, also addresses how third parties such as utilities, ISOs, energy and facility managers, aggregators, and hardware and software manufacturers will interface to and utilize the functions of the DRAS in order to automate various aspects of demand response (DR) programs and dynamic pricing.”

OPT

Outdoor Payment Terminal (OPT)

Payment Terminal

Payment terminals are typically installed at charging stations and allow EV users to make payments for the electricity they consume during charging sessions.They often support various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile payment apps and RFID cards. 

Plug & Charge

With Plug & Charge, the authentication at the charge point is carried out by the connected vehicle.

POI

Point of interest. Location information

PSP

A Payment Service Provider (PSP) is a financial institution that enables CPOs to accept various forms of electronic payments from EV drivers. They support a wide range of payment methods and process payments effectively while protecting sensitive information and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, they provide access to payment gateways, manage the settlement process and offer reporting tools and analytics.

RBR

Roaming Billing Record (RBR) harging receipt from external roaming stations

Remote Authentication

Remote authentication is an authentication type that enables the activation of charging sessions from e.g. the eMobility app or vaylens portal. 

RFID card

An RFID card is a small plastic card embedded with an RFID transponder (chip or antenna) used as a means of user authentication and access control at charging stations. 

RFID unique ID

Unique ID (UID) is a unique serial number that is assigned to each RFID transponder (tag) during production; the UID can be read out and used in software systems to identify and assign the respective RFID tag. 

Roaming

Roaming defines if a charger can also be used by other customers who are part of the vaylens internal roaming network. When Roaming is active, the charger is available within the vaylens roaming network, so customers of other providers are allowed to start authenticated charging sessions here. 

Roaming+

Roaming+ (external Roaming) defines if a charger is available for partner customers not only within the vaylens roaming network but also in the partner networks Hubject or OCPI. When Roaming+ is activated, EMAIDs of the group can be used to authenticate charging at all charge points in the Hubject and OCPI network.

SDR

Service Detail Record (SDR) is the initial raw data of the BDR that is send by the charging station.

Type 2 connector

Type 2 connector, also known as the Mennekes plug, is a standardized electric vehicle charging connector used predominantly in Europe. It features a distinctive design with a rounded top and flat bottom, and it's capable of supporting both AC and DC charging. 

ZKS

ZKS (German abbreviation for "Zeitkontrollserver") is a calibration method for charge points with LG2WAN protocol.