Portable EV Chargers (17 Options) For EVs

Electric Cars
Updated On - February 18, 2024

There are two main types of portable EV chargers.

One type is for EV owners to charge their car when access to a charging station is really limited.

The other type is for roadside assistance services to help EV owners in emergency situations.

There is also another type which targets EV owners that are off-grid enthusiast.

Experts Prediction suggests that the market for portable EV chargers will grow a lot in the next few years.

This is because of the sales of electric vehicles that are increasing. There is limited charging infrastructure and a lack of standardization for EV charging.

With that let’s dive in.

Here in this briefly, you will find various portable EV chargers that are great and have unique use cases in the EV market.

What is Portable EV Charger?
(Mobile Charging Station)

A portable EV charger or mobile charging station is for charging electric vehicles on the go. They are not stationary and can be carried from one location to the other.

When your EV is out of charge in the middle of the road or you go somewhere with no access to the charging station, that’s when portability can be very handy.

These chargers can be in different forms including battery-powered or DC fast charging.

Let’s first go over different types of portable EV chargers:

Level 1 Portable Charger: The most common that comes with most cars. It is a 120-volt charger and can connect to a standard wall outlet.
Level 2 Portable Charger: This is more efficient than level 1. The charging time is much faster than level 1. It requires a 240-volt outlet.
Portable DC Fast Charger: As its name suggests it’s for providing fast charging. The charging power ranges from 720W to 9.6KW. Often the charging time can take somewhere between 4-6 hours.
Battery-Powered Portable Charger: This charger has battery packs so you can charge the batteries at home. Then take the charger as a backup if you run out of charge in the middle of the road. They should be light and compact so it’s easy to carry.
Portable Power Station: These chargers have a rechargeable battery and can be charged at home or a charging station. They can provide up to 9.6KW of power.

As you know there are two formats of power AC and DC. The are a few differences between DC and AC portable EV chargers.

The AC are often used for level 1 and level 2 charging. They are slower than DC powered.

The DC are mainly used for fast charging and they are bigger than AC powered.

Portable level 2 EV chargers can provide up to 30 amps of charging power.

Charging speeds for level 2 ranges from 3-19 (KW) which gives about 20 to 120 km of range per hour.

Best Portable Roadside EV Chargers

Roadside EV chargers are designed such that they are lightweight, easy-to-use. They are often battery-powered and can be taken anywhere. Making it easier to charge your EV on-the-go.

People use these chargers in emergencies, such as when an EV loses power on the road.

One of the biggest advantages of a portable roadside EV charger is its versatility. You can use it to charge EVs in any location, whether it’s a parking lot, a trail-head, or a remote area.

Here is the list of best portable roadside EV chargers.

Let’s get started!

1. ZipCharge Go Portable Electric Vehicle Charger

ZipCharge Go is a portable EV charger developed by a UK startup called ZipCharge which was founded in 2021.

The size of ZipCharge Go is about a suitcase which can provide about 20 miles of range to a typical EV in around 30 minutes. The charger can work with any EV with a Type 2 socket.

ZipCharge Go has three-pin domestic power socket that can charge overnight.

The starting lease price is about $70/month or to purchase for approx. $2000.

To monitor, track or disable the charger you can use the ZipCharge mobile app to remotely interact.

Key Features:

It comes with 4 kWh and 8 kWh
Can be managed remotely through the integrated connectivity
Looking to provide Energy as a service (EaaS) by renting the charging stations

2. Roadie Portable Charger

A company called SparkCharge makes the Roadie Portable Charger. Their location is Massachusetts. The company is contributing to the Eco-friendly charging solution.

This is a portable charger for electric vehicles that runs on battery power. It can be used anywhere. The Roadie is a level 3 EV Charger that charges fast. It works with all EVs that can charge with DC including CHAdeMO and CCS.

You can use both CHAdeMO and CCS to charge electric vehicles fast. They are DC charging standards. But they have different connectors and are used in different parts of the world.

The battery modules can be stacked and adjusted to meet business needs. Each battery module can hold up to 3.7 kWh and are small enough to carry. To scale up you can add up to 5 modules for a total of 17.5 kWh. For example with a single battery module it’s possible to get about 60-70 miles of range.

You can charge the Roadie Portable Charger using a standard 240-volt current. You can recharge each battery module of the Roadie Portable Charger in about two hours. Use any 120V outlet.

Key Features

(Base Unit + 2 Battery): approx. $17,000
(Base Unit + 3 Battery): approx. $21,000

3. Blink Mobile Charger For EVs

The Blink portable charger is a stand-alone EV charging station for roadside assistance.

It can take up to 4 hours to charge the vehicle. It needs gasoline to function and the amount of it depends on charging condition. Roughly 10 gallons of gasoline burns per 9 hours of charging.

The Blink portable costs approx. $6,500 and comes with a standard 1 year warranty as well.

Key Features

Supports up to 240-volt AC charging and 30 amps of charging power
It’s powered by gasoline and provides 1 mile of charge per minute

4. Lightning eMotors Portable DC Fast Charging

The Lightning portable charger has five charging ports. You don’t need to install or build anything.

The second-generation model is smaller and more modular than the first generation model. Each modular unit offers between 105 to 420 kWh battery capacity.

The charging station converts AC electricity to DC power. This is an Eco-friendly and sustainable solution for electric vehicle charging.

Key Features

Compatibility to support commercial and consumer electric vehicles
Providing up to 5 DC fast-charging outputs
Charging time between 20% to 80% can be as little as 20 minutes

5. EcoFlow Delta Pro EV Charging Kit

The EcoFlow Delta Pro EVs charging solution is portable charging station for EV owners. It offers a convenient and reliable way to charge EV cars.

This kit includes two Delta Pros, which have a most output of 3,600W and can reach up to a 7,200W surge. The Delta Pros can give you an average boost of up to 14 or 15 miles.

The charging solution has key features like X-Stream charging technology. This technology lets the Delta Pros charge in 1.8 hours using a standard AC outlet.

The kit can hold more batteries to charge electric vehicles on long trips or in remote places. It’s a versatile solution for backup charging during emergencies.

You can charge the EcoFlow Delta Pro EV Charging Kit using solar power. EcoFlow solar panels ranging from 110W to 400W can charge the Delta Pro.

If you use a 400W setup, it will take 4-8 hours to charge. EV owners who want to charge their vehicles while traveling will find the EcoFlow Delta Pro EV Solar Charging Kit useful. It comes with a 400W solar panel, making it a convenient portable charging solution.

Key Features

Expandable capacity from 7.2 to 21.6 kWh with extra batteries
The EcoFlow EV X-Stream Adapter is compatible with Level 2 AC EV charging stations
The EcoFlow Delta Pro weighs 30.9 lbs

Best Portable Level 2 EV Chargers

It is convenient to use a portable level 2 charger when you are away from home to charge your car. Also, if you cannot install one at home, then they are a great alternative.

Let’s look at each portable level 2 charger in bellow.

1. Lectron Portable EV Charger

Lectron is a company that manufactures electric vehicle charging stations and accessories. They are dedicated to solutions for range anxiety for both Tesla and non-Tesla EV owners. Here is our side by side comparison of Lectron vs. Grizzl-E chargers.

The Lectron Portable EV Charger is for electric vehicles charging on the go.

There are different models with different specifications. One of them is the Lectron Portable Level 1 J1772. It is a 110V charger with a 16 Amp capacity and NEMA 5-15 plug.

Lectron Portable Level 2 J1772, which is a 240V charger with a 40 Amp capacity and NEMA 14-50 plug. Which is small and strong, great for home use. It has a long cable that fits most driveways and garages.

The J1772 is a common type of charging connector for electric vehicles. It can charge at different speeds. The charging unit has five pins and can charge single-phase AC at rates ranging from 1.44 kW to 19.2 kW. You can use the connector with Level 1 and Level 2 chargers at most Level 2 public charging stations. In 2011, the creators developed a new type of connector to enable fast DC charging. The J1772/CCS Combo Coupler supports the Combined Charging System standard.

The price of Lectron portable EV charger ranges between $300-$500.

If you go on long trips where there are few charging stations, it’s wise to have a Lectron Portable EV Charger. This compact charger can be a great backup to have on hand if you need to charge your EV on the go.

Key Features

The Lectron Portable EV Charger is a small, portable charger that can charge at Level 1 and Level 2
It has many ways to charge and works with most electric cars that use J1772
Affordable and provides fast charging speeds of up to 9.6 kW
Lectron has a special warranty program to give customers extra peace of mind
It’s also very easy to use and comes with a long charging cable

2. PIWIN Charger

PIWIN Energy is a global company that offers smart AC and fast DC EV charging solutions. They also provide portable EV chargers and mode 1 and mode 2 EV charging.

The PIWIN Portable EV Charger is from Zhuhai Piwin New Energy Co., Ltd., a company based in Guangdong, China.

They have EV chargers for every need, from portable ones to wall boxes.

The warranty period is 2 years.

The price is about < $200.

Key Features

Output Current: 32A
Output Power: 7KW
Cable Length: 5 meters
Plug Type: EU Plug
Charging Method: RFID Card

3. Duosida Level 1 & 2 Chargers

Duosida is a brand of a Chinese company and they specialize in high-tech energy products. The company makes cables, plugs, and sockets for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. They are one of the biggest producers in the industry.

Duosida makes compact level 1+2 electric vehicle chargers. They’re great for affordable charging at home or work.

The company’s chargers are universal and compatible with SAE J1772 and NEMA6-20 plug.

Duosida chargers come in two different amperage – 16A and 32A. The portable version is designed to be convenient and offers 3.84 kilowatts (kW) of charging power.

It comes with a 25-foot-long cable to reach most outlets. You can adjust the charge time to fit your needs. It’s a versatile and efficient charging solution for travellers or people on the go.

4. VEVOR EV Charger

VEVOR makes EV chargers for all types of customers, offering a wide variety of options.

VEVOR has a popular portable level 2 EV charger. It’s designed to be convenient and efficient. The charger has a NEMA 14-50 plug that works with most EV charging ports. It charges at 32 amps, which is much faster than a standard level 1 car charger. This means that you can reduce the time it takes to charge your EV using this charger.

The VEVOR portable EV charger also has security protections, so you can use it with peace of mind. The charger is safe and easy to use, making it a great choice for fast EV charging.

The charger comes in various models and have different charging speeds and plug types.

The price of VEVOR portable charger ranges between $200 – $400.

Key Features

The VEVOR Level 2 EV Charger is a portable electric vehicle charger. It has a 32 Amp capacity and can be used with 110-240V power. The charger comes with a 25 ft charging cable and a NEMA 14-50P plug.
The VEVOR Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station is adjustable and has a 0-40A range. It is a smart EV charger with WiFi and a 9.6 kW power output. The charger comes with a 22-foot TPE charging cable and a NEMA 14-50 plug. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and is ETL Energy Star certified.
VEVOR Level 2 EV Charger, 16 Amp 110V-240V 3.84 kW, Portable Electric Vehicle Charger with NEMA 6-20 Plug.
The VEVOR Level 2 EV Charger is portable and has a 25 ft charging cable with a NEMA 10-30 plug. It charges electric vehicles with 24 Amps and works with 110-240V power.

5. Khons Level 2 Portable EV Charger

Khons is a Chinese company. They make good EV chargers that you can adjust and use at home.

The Khons Level 2 EV Charging Station is a great option. It gives you up to 36 miles of range per hour when charging. It has a 9.6 kW/40A output. The charging station ensures safety and reliability by being built with high-quality materials.

The best part? It’s easy to use. Insert your NEMA 14-50 plug into the electrical outlet, and you’re ready to go. The 16.4ft cable and NEMA 14-50 plug make it effortless to use, even on the go.

The price range for Khons level 2 charger is between $200 – $400.

6. BMW Portable EV Charger

BMW has a portable charger called TurboCord that is dual-voltage. That means it can charge at both 120V and 240V. Both plug-in hybrid cars and battery-electric vehicles can use it.

The price of TurboCord is about $450.

Key Features

It comes with a 20 ft. charging cord
Fast charging, It can charge battery-electric cars in about 3 hrs

7. Shell Portable

A Shell portable is a Level 2 electric vehicle charger that can deliver up to 32 Amps and 240 Volts.

This is up to 5 times faster than a standard wall outlet, so it makes charging an electric vehicle quick and easy. It can be used anywhere with a specific kind of outlet known as a NEMA 14-50R outlet.

The Shell RechargePlus service makes charging electric vehicles easier and more efficient. Shifting the times when vehicles are charged can help balance the energy grid. It can also save costs for customers.

You can choose between two versions of the Shell-branded Recharge charger. One version has the most output of 32 Amps, and the other has the most output of 40 Amps. What they offer determines their price.

The price for a Shell portable charger is about $450.

The warranty is 1 year.

8. Schumacher SC1455 Portable

The Schumacher SC1455 is a portable electric vehicle charger. It works with both 120V NEMA 5-15 plugs and 240V NEMA 6-20 plugs. The charger has a warranty for one year. It charges electric vehicles much faster than a Level 1 charger, up to three times. This charger works with J1772 connector like Chevy Volt, BMW, Nissan Leaf, Prius Prime, Honda Clarity, and Kia Niro.

The Schumacher SC1455 is a good option for EV owners. It works with Tesla EVs when you use an adapter.

It is great for all car owners. It has a 28-foot charging cable and a level 1 charger adapter. The portable nature of the charger makes it easy to transport and use wherever you need it.

Got a small and light weight, so you can bring it with you or keep it in your car for emergencies.The weight of this charger is about 7.6 lbs and the price is approx. $200.

9. Mustart Level 2

The Mustart Level 2 Portable EV Charger is made by a company called Mustart. They specialize in EV chargers. The company is from China and is also in other countries, like the United States.

The Mustart Level 2 Portable EV Charger is a station that can charge EVs and is easy to move.

This charger charges and works with different NEMA outlets.

The Mustart Level 2 Portable EV Charger is a charging station for plug in EVs. It operates on 240 volts and has a 25-foot cable. The charger has a 40-amp capacity and uses the NEMA 14-50P connector.

Another model is Mustart Level 2 Portable EV Charger 240 Volt 26 Amp with NEMA 14-30P.

The NEMA 14-30 and NEMA 10-30 plugs on the Mustart Level 2 EV Charger differ in the compatible outlet type. The NEMA 14-30 plug is designed to be used with a 240-volt outlet that has a most circuit of 30 amps.

The NEMA 10-30 plug is meant for a 240-volt outlet that can handle up to 30 amps. But, it doesn’t have a ground wire. The NEMA 10-30 plug is less safe than the NEMA 14-30 plug. It is not recommended for EV chargers.

The price ranges between $300 – $650 depending on the model you choose for this charger.

10. JuiceBox Charger

Enel X is a company that is behind making the JuiceBox charger. They create new energy solutions for homes, cities, and industries.

One of Enel X’s products is the JuiceBox EV charger, which is a level 2 home charging station.

The JuiceBox charger is compatible with all-electric vehicles. Tesla offers an adapter so Tesla owners can charge their vehicles with this charger. They mainly designed the charger for residential use.

It comes in three different speed levels, 32, 40, and 48 amp speeds.

JuiceBox charger 32 provides up to 32 amps of power which is equal to a maximum charging speed of 7.7 kW.

JuiceBox charger 40 can charge up to 7 times faster than a level 1 charger with a maximum speed of 9.6 kW.

JuiceBox charger 48 provides up to 48 amps of power with a maximum charging speed of 11.5 kW.

The chargers have a 3-year warranty for normal residential use. It is also possible to extend the warranty period for another 2-year extension.

With WiFi Internet Control, users can check and schedule charging from their smartphones.

Prices are as follows:

JuiceBox 32 charger: $549
JuiceBox Pro 40: $619

11. MOREC Portable EV Charger

MOREC is UK based company that specializes in EV charging products. They offer different portable EV chargers. They have different charging speed and cable length.

Their chargers is compatible with different charging outlets.

MOREC Type 1 to NEMA6-20 – It has got a 16A charging speed, with a 6m cable length.

Morec Level 1+2 Portable EV Charger (100-240 Volt, 21ft/6.4m Cord, 16 Amp) NEMA 6-20 Plug, 3.68KW, with Adapter for NEMA 5-15. — Price: $239.99

The Morec Type 2 CEE Plug is a portable EV charger. It has a touch screen and a 6-meter charging cable. You can switch the current between 16-24A. It comes with 5 adapters and can charge EVs at 2-16KW. — Price: $299.99

12. J+ BOOSTER 2 Portable EV Charger

J+ Booster 2 is made by a company called Juice technology. The company is based on Swiss and founded in 2014. It is a leading company in electric car charging solutions. They make variety of level 2 and DC fast charging.

The J+ BOOSTER 2 Portable EV Charger works with all electric cars that have a J1772 connector or adapter. It’s a Level 2 charger.

The charger has a power output of 1.4 to 9.6 kW at 240V and is ETL certified. It has a NEMA 14-50 plug and a 21ft cable.

The J+ BOOSTER 2 can charge any EV up to 7 times faster than a standard wall outlet. It has flexible amperage settings up to 40 amps.

You can power the charger with either 120V or 240V, and it has a current range of 6 to 40 amps.

The J+ BOOSTER 2 has an easy-to-use interface. The display uses three colours to show different statuses. Green means current, yellow means charging, and red means faults.

The price is about $700.

What To Consider When You Want To Buy a Portable Level 2 EV Charger?

When you are thinking about getting a portable EV charger it is important to keep few things in mind.

Charging Time: First off, go for a charger that juices up your EV quickly. The faster, the better.
Compatibility: Make sure your charger is matches with your EV’s charging port. You don’t want them to be strangers. Ensure that the charger has the right plugs and outlets for your home or business.
Capacity: Think about your EV’s battery size and how much charge it needs. Pick a charger that matches those needs.
Durability: Since these chargers go where your adventures take you, they need to be tough and high quality. Get one that can handle some weather and rough times. If you plan to use the charger outside, make sure it is weatherproof. Dust and moisture can damage the charger.
Brand and Warranty: Choose a charger from a reputable brand and look for a good warranty.
Safety: Safety’s always a good friend. Look for chargers with features like overload protection and short-circuit safety nets. They’ll keep you and your EV safe and sound.
Portability: If you’re planning to hit the road with your charger, it should be easy to carry. Light and compact are important.
Cost: Last but not least, think about your wallet. Compare prices and find a charger that won’t break the bank.

What happens when an electric car runs out of charge?

When your electric car runs out of charge, the engine stops, and the vehicle can’t move. The electric systems stop functioning as well. Drivers usually get warnings when the battery is low. Certain electric cars may reduce power or show nearby charging stations on the GPS.

If your electric car runs out of charge, follow these steps:

1. Activate hazard lights and find a safe spot to stop.
2. Call for help with roadside assistance
3. If your car needs to be charged, you have two options: tow it to a charging station or use a portable charger.

Remember, if you completely drain the battery, called “deep discharging,” it can damage how well it works. To avoid this, plan your trips. Think about where you can charge your vehicle and how far it can go. As more public charging stations emerge, range anxiety should decrease over time.

Are Portable EV Chargers Worth It?

If you’re going somewhere with few charging stations, it’s smart to have a level 2 charger in your car. You might need it when visiting loved ones, camping, or staying in a hotel without chargers.

Roadside portable chargers are useful for roadside assistant companies or services. They help EV owners who run out of battery in remote areas. They can give a boost for few miles until the car can get to stationary charging station.

But, certain battery-powered stations can provide backup power for off-grid travellers. It can function as a power station for other purposes in off road stay and also provide a small battery boost to the EV.