Why do some chargers share power between plugs?
Charger 1 has 300 kW and two outlets. A car at 15% takes 225 kW. A second car connects to the other outlet.
The first car's power drops, the second starts at about 120 kW. Ten minutes later the first car is at 70% and takes much less.
The questionHow does one charger divide its power, and who decides?
A composed example. Each charger has its own rules: some divide power freely, others in steps of one power module.
are a large share of what a fast charger costs. A car takes full power only for part of a session; as the battery fills, the power falls (see the charging curve). With sharing, modules that one car no longer needs go to the next car.
- For the operator, two outlets cost less than two full chargers.
- For drivers, a second car can start right away instead of waiting.
Who decides
The charger's controller divides the modules. Each car tells it what it can take; the controller allocates within the charger's total. On top of that, the site or the backend can set a limit for the whole charger, for example when the grid connection is shared with other chargers. That is , the subject of its own path.
Check your understanding
3 questions. Answer all of them to complete this stop. Each answer explains itself.
As a battery fills, it takes less power. Modules it no longer needs can serve the second car.
Each car reports what it can take, the controller allocates. A site or backend limit can cap the charger as a whole.
At 70%, car A is in the taper of its charging curve. The modules it releases go to car B.
- Load management Shares a site's grid connection between the cars charging at the same time. EV charging fundamentals, stop 04 Glossary
- Power module One of several identical conversion units in a DC charger; together they set its power, and one can fail or be replaced without the others. Stop 04 Glossary