[RahulNagaraj]

According to reports, Ford has filed to patent a new technology that allows several of its EVs to charge using a single plug.

As seen, the patent diagram showcases three connected in parallel to a single charging port. The three connectors are then spread further to 5 different EVs. However, Ford hasn't confirmed the exact number of vehicles that can be charged simultaneously.



Reports state that while current rules don't allow charging cable extension cords, there isn't a problem allowing multiple EVs to link up to a single charging point.

If the tech does make it into the market, could be highly beneficial to EV fleet owners; allowing them to charge several vehicles at one point, rather than installing multiple ports at various locations. The tech also makes sense for remote job sites, where a permanent charging port can't be set up.

Having said that, the tech is still in its patent stage and unsure whether or not it will actually make it into the market at any point in the near future.

Source: Autoblog

Link to Team-BHP news

[Dry Ice]

In a more human readable format
Ford: Coming soon to a street near you!



On a serious note, for fast charging, what kind of voltages will these shared chargers need to put out to fast charge multiple cars at once?

[ComboCutter]

I feel this is something obvious and should not be patented.

The connector and coupler, would be costly here cause of long length cables needed for multiple cars. (unless they are okay with slow charging speeds; which can be achieved with a 16A socket - much cheaper and simpler.)

Also won't they going to be limited to what the NACS standard allows them to do? Meaning couplers will need to be as robust as a charging point - higher cost!

[sagarpadaki]

I feel this is trying to solve a problem that does not exist.

The wires and the connectors need to be beefed up and made idiot proof. This leads to higher cost. To maintain the same charging current across multiple cars, the input current has to be really high. The 'extension cable' can become too long from the source if multiple cars are parked next/behind each other. With longer cables, drawing power from same source will lead to higher resistance and longer charging time.