Year after year, electric vehicles are becoming more and more important in the automotive sector. It is therefore essential to provide charging solutions adapted to the needs of different user profiles. Mobile chargers have been developed for this purpose. They are innovative and practical solutions that make life easier for electric vehicle owners. A mobile charger is one of the accessories that every EV should have. Let’s discover why.
What is a mobile EV charger?
A mobile charger for electric vehicles is a portable device that allows the battery of an electric vehicle to be charged from a standard electrical outlet. Unlike public charging points, which need to be permanently installed, mobile chargers are designed to be carried and used anywhere. They usually come with a charging cable and an adapter to plug into a standard socket. Mobile chargers are a convenient way for electric car owners to charge their vehicles on the move, whether at home, at work or when travelling.
Want to know more before you invest? Let's take a look at the features of our three top mobile chargers: the Helectron S216, the HEI-216C and the NRGkick. You will also find out all you need to know about their benefits in different situations, their advantages over other charging solutions and which vehicles are best suited to them.
Top 3 mobile EV chargers not to be missed
There are several mobile charging solutions on the market, which can make it difficult to choose. To make it easier, we've selected three must-have models that stand out for their performance and functionality.
Helectron S216
The Helectron S216 mobile charger is a small, black, 2kg model with a type 2 charging socket. It is 5 metres long and is compatible with:
- all type 1 and 2 16A single-phase and three-phase electric cars and rechargeable hybrids (BMW I3 60Ah, Citroën C-Zero, Citroën e-Jumpy, etc.);
- all type 2 electric vehicles (Audi e-tron/g-tron, BMW i3/iX3, Honda-e, etc.).
Note that its maximum power is 3.7 kW and that it is equipped with an LED display.
HEI-216C
Like the Helectron S216, the HEI-216C mobile charger is a small, black, 2kg unit with a type 2 charging socket. Also 5 metres long, it is compatible with all 16A single- and three-phase type 1 and 2 electric and plug-in hybrid cars, as well as type 1 vehicles (Citroën Berlingo, Ford Focus Electric G1, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, etc.). Its maximum power is also 3.7 kW.
NRGkick
The NRGkick is a high-end mobile charger with many features, compatible with all electric cars, including single-phase and three-phase 32A. It can be configured for 6A, 8A, 10A or 13A and 16A, 20A, 25A or 32A. With a weight of 6.8 kg, it is still more imposing than the previous two models. In terms of power, it can reach up to 22 kW.
The benefits of portable chargers in different situations
Although not all electric vehicle users will have a mobile charger, it is worth remembering that this equipment has many advantages in different situations.
In general, mobile chargers are portable and can be easily moved from one place to another. This obviously makes it easier to charge your electric vehicle whether you are at home, in a second home or even travelling.
For example, if you have a second home, you can use a portable charger so that you do not have to install a fixed charging point. Similarly, if you are travelling, portable chargers allow you to charge your car in different places, such as hotels, service stations or simply at friends' houses. This gives you greater peace of mind and reduces the risk of breakdowns.
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of a portable charger is that, depending on the model you choose, it can be compatible with a wide range of power sockets. In the event of an emergency or power failure, this equipment is also very useful for charging your electric vehicle from an alternative energy source (generator, emergency socket).
The advantages of mobile chargers over other charging solutions
As you can see, portable chargers for electric vehicles can offer several advantages over other charging solutions.
The first is the portability of portable chargers. Compact and lightweight, they can be easily transported in the boot of a car. They also offer greater flexibility, as some models can be used with a variety of sockets.
Of course, these units do not require complex installation or electrical work, which can simplify the process of setting up a charging solution. For users living in apartments or condominiums, where the installation of fixed charging points can be complicated or expensive, this is a viable and particularly practical alternative.
Driver and vehicle profiles suitable for portable chargers
Mobile chargers can be useful for a wide range of electric vehicle owners. However, there are certain profiles that are best suited to this charging solution.
Unlike electric vehicles with large batteries, which may require longer charging times with a mobile charger, this equipment is suitable for more moderate batteries (e.g. 30-60 kWh). In this case, the charging time from a standard household socket is still relatively acceptable, ranging from a few hours to an entire night.
Another profile that should turn to mobile chargers is drivers who do not use their electric vehicle on a daily basis or for long journeys, and for whom mobile chargers are sufficient. As mentioned above, this is also the case for second home owners.
In addition, people who travel regularly for work or leisure and stay in hotels, holiday homes, etc. can also benefit from the flexibility of a mobile charger.
Finally, owners of older 'old generation' electric vehicles that do not have fast charging capabilities or access to an extensive charging network can use mobile chargers to complete their charging options.
Of course, you can always rely on the Electromaps map of charging points for your EV trips or everyday life to help you find charging stations, charge your vehicle and continue to enjoy your journey. Find. Charge. Go.
