In at least one embodiment, a charging apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a power converter having a primary stage, a first secondary stage, and a second secondary stage. The primary stage is configured to receive an incoming voltage to generate a first input voltage. The first secondary stage includes a first plurality of electrical components configured to generate a first portion of an output voltage. The second secondary stage is in series with the first secondary stage and includes a second plurality of electrical components configured to generate a second portion of the output voltage. Each of the first plurality of electrical components and the second plurality of electrical components is rated to a voltage rating that is less than a total sum of the first portion and the second portion of the output voltage.