CarCharging, a US-based provider of convenient electric vehicle (EV) charging services, has filed a provisional patent application for an EV charging station with a toggle unit.

The new EV charging stations with toggle units will have the ability to charge multiple vehicles consecutively without the insertion or removal of plugs during the process of charging.

In addition to reducing the potential strain on the energy grid, the design reduces the use of EV service equipment, network and energy costs, while enhancing the process of current EV charging stations.

When an EV charging station is occupied for long periods of time, such as overnight at multifamily or mixed-use properties, other EV drivers are not able to charge their vehicles, which limits the use of the station.

However, EV charging stations with two or more plugs can charge vehicles simultaneously, resulting in increased strain on the energy grid.

"The design reduces the use of EV service equipment, network and energy costs, while enhancing the process of current EV charging stations."

CarCharging’s EV charging station provisional patent improves the efficiency of the EV station through the use of a toggle unit, processor and multiple plugs.

The toggle unit activates the charging current from the station to the first of multiple plugs attached to the charging station. When the processor detects the completion of charging, the toggle unit de-activates the first plug and activates the next.

CarCharging CEO Michael D Farkas said that the company, as a nationwide provider of EV charging services, is aware of the advantages and disadvantages of current EV charging stations.

"In order to optimise EV charging services, we feel that it is imperative that the stations have the ability to charge multiple EVs consecutively," Farkas added.

Allowing multiple EVs to plug into the station simultaneously, the design offers EV drivers the ability to delay the charge of their EV to off-peak times without having to be present to initiate the charge.