Electric Silverado Could Get Dual CCS Ports, V2V Charging

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The GM Ultium EV skateboard really is a different breed of platform— that’s partly because its battery packs are arranged in two layers, which, if a recently uncovered patent filing is to be believed, could be made to behave like two EVs being charged at the same time, for ultra-super-quick EV charging on the road.

That recent GM patent filing shows what looks like an all-electric Chevy Silverado packing two high-speed CCS charging ports. As described, the two-charger system seems to rely on a series of controllers and switches that tap into the GM Ultium battery’s baked-in ability to operate as two different batteries wired in series or in parallel, according to Bengt Halvorson over at Green Car Reports. That ability to switch between a “two” or “one” battery architecture could allow the top and bottom layers to act, temporarily, like they’re wired “in series,” which would allow for 800-volt charging to utilize 350-kw DC fast-charging hardware.

It’s a bit easier to see than to explain, I think. Take a look at the patent drawing for yourself and see if you don’t immediately get the whole, “more plugs = more electricity” concept at work here.

Chevy Silverado Dual-charging Port Patent Filing

Another interesting capability here is ability to keep the second port “open” and provide what GM seems to be calling “an accessory load at 400V.” I can’t think of many 400V accessories off-hand (even in the context of a job site, where most power tools are in the 18-48V range), but we do know of at least one thing a Silverado owner might have in their garage that’s 400V: the recently re-launched Chevy Bolt EUV.

The “read between the lines” conclusion seems to be that a fully charged electric Silverado might be able to provide emergency power to stranded Bolt or LYRIQ drivers in a “roadside assistance” context. If they keep this as a GM-only feature, it would be madness for large vehicle fleets to employ anything but GM vehicles that can “tap into” that kind of vehicular ecosystem … wouldn’t it?

I’ve been accused of being too “pro-legacy brand/dealers” in recent days, and that may be fair. As such, I leave it to you guys. Do you think having the ability to charge a small EV with a big one would give GM a real-world advantage in the market? Scroll on down to the comments and let us know.

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Source | Images: GM; the US Patent Office, via Green Car Reports.