GM Patents A 'Daisy Chain' Charger To Juice Up Multiple EVs At Once

Why It Matters

By boosting the utilization of existing DC fast‑charging hardware, the daisy‑chain approach can lower wait times and improve the economics of public charging networks, accelerating EV adoption.

Key Takeaways

• GM patent proposes daisy‑chain low‑power access points
• One DC charger can serve two EVs simultaneously
• Controllers prioritize power based on vehicle state of charge
• Potential to split 350 kW into ~150 kW per car
• Improves station throughput, easing consumer wait times

Pulse Analysis

Public fast‑charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with the rapid growth of electric‑vehicle sales, leaving drivers to contend with long queues at high‑power stations. While 400 kW chargers are becoming more common, most EVs still operate comfortably at 150‑250 kW, creating a mismatch between available capacity and actual demand. GM’s newly disclosed patent addresses this gap by introducing a modular daisy‑chain architecture that transforms a single DC charger into a hub for multiple low‑power access points, effectively multiplying the number of usable plugs without additional high‑cost hardware.

The core of the design lies in the low‑power access point (LPAP), a compact unit equipped with three connectors: an input from the main DC charger or the preceding LPAP, an output to the vehicle, and a pass‑through to the next LPAP. Integrated controllers continuously monitor each vehicle’s battery voltage, state of charge, and charging limits, enabling the central charger to allocate power in real time. This dynamic distribution can prioritize a near‑empty battery, shift power to the highest‑voltage pack for efficiency, or balance output evenly across connected cars. In practice, a 350 kW station could deliver roughly 150 kW to two EVs simultaneously, offering a pragmatic trade‑off that many drivers would accept to avoid waiting.

If adopted, the daisy‑chain system could reshape the economics of public charging networks. Operators would achieve higher throughput from existing installations, reducing the need for costly additional DC chargers while improving customer satisfaction. Moreover, the technology aligns with emerging standards for smart grid integration, allowing stations to respond to grid constraints and renewable‑energy availability. As automakers and infrastructure providers race to eliminate charging bottlenecks, GM’s approach provides a scalable, software‑driven solution that could become a benchmark for next‑generation EV charging architecture.