Charging device and method for charging at least one electric vehicle

A method of operating a charging device for charging at least one electric vehicle, the method comprising:

• providing electrical power for charging the electric vehicle from a plurality of electrical power units;
• connecting the charging device to the electric vehicle via at least one charging port;
• controlling switching elements of a coupling arrangement of the charging device to selectively connect the charging port to at least one power unit such that electrical power is transmitted from the at least one power unit to the charging port for charging the electric vehicle;
• and
• preventing the switching of individual switching elements while at least a predefined minimum current is flowing through the individual switching elements.

A charging device configured to charge an electric vehicle comprising:

• a plurality of electrical power units configured to provide direct current electrical power for charging the electric vehicle;
• at least one charging port that, via a charging cable, is configured to connect the charging device to the electric vehicle;
• a coupling arrangement including alternating current switching elements which can be activated to selectively connect the charging port to at least one power unit of the plurality of power units so that electrical power can be transmitted from the at least one power unit to the at least one charging port to charge the electric vehicle;
• and
• a controller configured to activate ones of the switching elements, the controller configured to prevent activation of specific switching elements, of the ones of the switching elements, that have at least predefined minimum current detected as flowing through them.