Ford has filed a patent utility with the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) for a dual-charge-port resolution that may enable a number of EVs to cost in sequence from the identical charging station.
First noticed by CarBuzz, the system described within the patent utility makes use of bidirectional charging functionality. However as an alternative of both charging or discharging by way of a single cost port, this resolution permits autos to do each, taking in energy by way of one cost port and sending it to a different automobile by way of a second port.
Within the patent utility, Ford mentioned this may very well be accomplished with AC energy sources, together with dwelling charging stations and wall retailers, or DC fast-charging stations. And it is not essentially restricted to charging autos.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Clever Backup Energy
Ford additionally suggests use in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) purposes, probably permitting a sequence of autos to take vitality from the grid, give it again to the grid, or share cost between autos, relying on software program.
Whereas patent filings are under no circumstances proof of manufacturing intentions, this does seem to be it may very well be an incredible complement to the Dwelling Integration System that is supplied at present within the Ford F-150 Lightning, permitting the pickup truck to function an emergency dwelling energy backup supply.
Past conserving the lights on throughout energy outages, this tech may be utilized to the varied V2G eventualities mentioned by automakers and electrical utilities, similar to buffering the grid through the use of teams of EVs to soak up extra energy for later use.
2022 Ford E-Transit
Or maybe it may very well be a part of optimizing cost profiles between EVs which are supported with Ford’s Professional enterprise. Serving to companies cost fleets of EVs in a means that minimizes electrical energy prices is a vital a part of Ford’s plan to promote extra work-oriented EVs.
This additionally seems just like a patent final 12 months from Common Motors, which additionally mentioned utilizing twin cost ports to extend flexibility. Given the mutual goalpost of smarter, cost-effective charging, it would not be stunning if a number of fleet-minded automakers are seeing one thing very near the identical resolution.
