Summary
- General Motors is exploring alternative solutions for faster charging of electric commercial vehicles
- GM’s patent filing involves equipping vehicles with multiple charge ports and dividing battery packs into smaller "subpacks"
- This allows for faster charging by simultaneously charging individual subpacks from multiple ports
- The solution is aimed at larger vehicles like electric pickups and big rigs that require bigger battery packs
- While megawatt charging has been slow to roll out, GM’s multi-port charging system offers a potential alternative for quicker charging of electric vehicles
Article
General Motors has recently filed a patent for a multi-port charging system designed to expedite the charging process for electric commercial vehicles. This patent, published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in November 2024, outlines a solution to the challenges posed by the slow charging of large battery packs used in medium-duty and heavy-duty electric vehicles. In the document, GM proposes equipping these vehicles with multiple charge ports and dividing the battery packs into smaller “subpacks” that can be charged in parallel.
The multi-port charging system allows individual subpacks to be charged from either a single charge port or both ports simultaneously, rather than charging the entire pack through a single port. This approach is particularly beneficial for larger vehicles that require larger battery packs than traditional passenger cars. While the filing uses a passenger car as an example, the system is intended for medium-duty vehicles as well, which includes the GMC Hummer EV and the largest GMC and Chevrolet electric pickups based on their weight.
Megawatt charging, which was initially introduced as a solution for electric big rigs, has been slow to roll out due to various challenges, including practical limitations related to electrical infrastructure. While Tesla has confirmed megawatt charging for its Cybertruck and Semi models, its Supercharger V4 technology has not yet been widely implemented. In response to this slow progress, different automakers are exploring alternative solutions to accelerate the charging process using existing infrastructure and connector technology.
For example, the GMC Hummer EV currently uses 400-volt battery packs connected in parallel to increase charging speed, although it only has one charge port. On the other hand, Porsche has divided the battery pack of its 800-volt Macan model into two virtual 400-volt packs to achieve faster charging times. General Motors’ multi-port charging system represents another innovative approach to addressing the challenges of charging large battery packs in electric vehicles, particularly in the commercial sector where efficiency and performance are crucial.
By allowing for simultaneous charging of multiple subpacks through multiple ports, GM’s system aims to significantly reduce the time required to recharge electric commercial vehicles, making them more practical for fleet operations. This technology could have widespread implications for the adoption of electric vehicles in various industries, including logistics, transportation, and construction, where high-performance vehicles with fast charging capabilities are needed. As electric vehicle infrastructure continues to evolve, innovative solutions like GM’s multi-port charging system will play a critical role in accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation technologies.
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