Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Coding
Electric vehicles were once considered niche or premium products within the automotive and car rental industries. However, demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid Vehicles has grown rapidly in recent years and continues to accelerate as governments and manufacturers worldwide pursue ambitious climate targets aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and dependence on traditional combustion engines.
As electrified vehicles become increasingly mainstream, the ACRISS Car Classification System has evolved to support these new technologies by providing clearer vehicle coding, improved transparency, and more detailed information to help customers book with confidence.
ACRISS EV & Hybrid Vehicle Coding
The 4th character of the ACRISS Car Classification Matrix is used to identify both the vehicle fuel type and air conditioning status. Within this structure, ACRISS introduced dedicated coding to support Electric and Hybrid Vehicles using:
- “E” or “C” for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
- “H” or “I” for Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
These codes allow booking systems, online travel agencies, and rental platforms to filter and identify vehicles by propulsion type, supporting the growing demand for EV and Hybrid vehicle searches.
Supporting Industry Evolution
Rather than creating an entirely new coding structure, ACRISS chose to enhance and redefine the existing matrix codes to better accommodate the increasing variety of electric and hybrid vehicle technologies entering the market.
Historically, the 4th character also identified whether a vehicle was equipped with air conditioning. However, as all modern Electric and Hybrid vehicles now include air conditioning as standard, the previous “air” and “non-air” distinction was removed for electrified vehicle categories.
This allowed ACRISS to repurpose and modernise the coding structure to better support:
- Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle identification
- Multiple Electric Vehicle classifications
- Future electrification requirements
- Enhanced booking system filtering
EV Range & Future-Proofing
In 2019, ACRISS introduced battery driving range indicators for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) to help consumers better understand EV suitability when booking.
The original classifications were:
- Electric — Distance under 250 miles / 400 km
- Electric Plus — Distance greater than or equal to 250 miles / 400 km
However, as EV battery technology rapidly improved, many vehicles quickly exceeded these thresholds, making the original structure less sustainable long term.
As a result, ACRISS revised the EV coding definitions again during 2022/23 to create a more future-proof and flexible approach capable of supporting both current and emerging electric vehicle technologies.
The updated coding structure is designed to:
- Support a wider range of EV models and technologies
- Provide greater flexibility for rental companies
- Improve booking system filtering and search functionality
- Support future feature-based vehicle searching
- Prepare for additional EV-related information and equipment standards
Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid coding remains unchanged within the current classification structure.
Flexible EV Coding Structure
The revised use of the “E” and “C” EV codes enables car rental companies to differentiate between different types of electric vehicles within their fleets while maintaining flexibility in how they apply the classifications.
Rental companies may choose to use:
- Both “E” and “C” classifications
- A single EV classification code
- Additional internal distinctions based on their own fleet requirements
It is important, however, that booking systems and search filters support both EV coding options to ensure customers can easily identify and compare all available electric vehicle options.
For further information, please refer to:
- ACRISS Changes to EV codes
- ACRISS Fuel Type Guide for additional definitions covering Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and Electric Vehicle classifications.
For more information on Electric cars and related questions/topics: www.motoringelectric.com
New Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Electric Vehicles descriptions and usage (2023)
|
Code |
Description |
|---|---|
|
H |
Hybrid |
|
I |
Hybrid Plug-In |
|
E |
Electric Vehicle |
|
C |
Electric Vehicle |
E & C: All Battery Electric Vehicles but not Electric Vehicles combined with other energy sources (Hybrid, Hydrogen, etc). This will also include commercial vehicles/vans.
Further enhancements were introduced to our car code lists to accommodate the new Electric and Hybrid trend by adding fuel type codes to each model.
Fuel Type Codes
| Fuel code | Fuel Type Definition | 4th letter Matrix code |
|---|---|---|
| P | Petrol | R, N |
| D | Diesel | R, N, D, Q |
| MHEV | Mild hybrid electric vehicle | H |
| HEV | Hybrid electric vehicle | H |
| PHEV | Plug-in hybrid vehicle | I |
| BEV | Battery electric vehicle | E or C |
| Fuel/Air Code | Description |
|---|---|
| R & N | Unspecified Fuel/Power |
| E & C | Electric & Electric Plus |
| H & I | Hybrid & Hybrid Plug in |
| M & F | Multi Fuel/Power |
Updated ACRISS Car Classification Matrix with latest EV definitions:
Charging Speeds – Slow, Fast and Rapid
Electric cars require a direct current (DC). If you charge using a domestic socket, the alternating current (AC) is converted to DC by the vehicle. Fast chargers do this conversion before the electricity reaches the car, speeding up the charging time. Rapid chargers (with one exception) also supply DC current straight to the car. Essentially, they all do the same but the speed varies according to the connector type.
Slow Charging: 3-6 kW charging in 8-12 hours
Fast Charging: 7-22 kW charging in 1- 6 hours
Rapid Charging: 43-50 kW delivering 80% charge in 30mins
Ultra-Rapid charging: 100,150 & 350 kW delivering up to 80% charge in 10mins
Special Equipment and Ancillaries available for Electric Vehicle and Plug-In Electric Vehicles
| SQ/EPQ Code | Name/Description | Definition and Comments |
| SCC | Station Charging Cable EV | Station Charging Cable Electric Vehicle – Public charging point cables usually faster charging |
| DCH | Domestic Charging Cable EV | Domestic Charging Cable Electric Vehicle – For use with domestic and household outlets, usually slower or overnight charging |
| PCC | Station Charging Cable for PHEV | Station Charging Cable for Plug in Hybrid – Public charging point cables for Plug in Hybrid vehicles |
| LCC | Extra Long Charging Cable EV | Extra Long Charging Cable Electric Vehicle – Extended charging cable, usually used with vans and trucks |
| MCE | Mobility Service Card EV | Mobility Service Card Electric Vehicle – Used as a form of payment for EV charging in countries where applicable |
| MCP | Mobility Service Card PHEV | Mobility Service Card Plug in Hybrid – Used as a form of payment for EV charging in countries where applicable |
| BCH | Battery Charge Service | Battery charge fee included – Full to Empty EV charge where applicable |
The above EV and PHEV equipment and assigned codes have also been added to the main Optional Extras, Special Equipment and Ancillaries list.