Unfortunately, we are yet to reach the point where portable EV chargers can contain enough energy and be scaled down to the size of the jump starters we have for regular cars. At least, not yet. The EV charging scene is still a new landscape the automotive world is wrestling with. While the number of charging stations around the UK is growing larger and larger like moss on a tree, the task of shrinking chargers down to briefcase-sized power banks to pop into the boot of your MG4 EV is yet to reach a breakthrough.
The most straightforward solution, while the tech geniuses get that (small) problem sorted, is to use a portable EV charging cable. These come in various lengths, with a 13-amp UK three-pin plug at one end and a type 2 EV charging connection at the other.
Due to the low wattage of domestic household electrical systems, these cables are limited as to how much current they can draw, so inevitably, charging times are longer than they might be at a commercial EV charging point. We’ve had a look at some of the charging cables that are available just now.
The best portable charging cables for EVs shortlist:
Editor’s choice: The best portable charging cables for EVs – Buy now from Amazon UK
The most advanced portable EV charger: Juice Booster 2 – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best EV charger for cable length: Third Rock Energy Type 2 Charging Cable – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best portable charging cables for EVs
Editor's pick
Boasting an IP66 rating, it's perfect for the British weather and can cope with temperatures ranging from -25 to 50°C. Safety is also taken care of with built-in protection against overheating, overloads and short-circuit protection. A small LCD display will also show the charging status.
Pros
- Top-notch build
- Packed with safety features
Cons
- Not the fastest to charge
The most advanced portable EV charger
Best of all, Juice sell a range of adapters for different charging purposes, including PHEVs and motorhomes as well as internal plug examples perfect for a road trip. It's clearly an investment piece, but for powerful charging on the go, nothing can come close.
Pros
- Very clever innovation
- Very dependable build
- Safety-first design
Cons
- Extra adapters cost extra
Best EV charger for cable length
Pros
- Good safety features
- Waterproof
- 10-metre cable
Cons
- Operating instructions could be better
The best EV charger for monitoring
Rrp: £219.99
Rrp: £219.99
Pros
- Waterproof (IP65) and can withstand being run over (IK10)
- Choose between six, 10 and 13 Amp
Cons
- Five-metre cable
Best EV charger for faster charging
Pros
- Long cable
- Waterproof
Cons
- Heavier design
Best portable power station
The charge is fed by a Type 2 charging cable and with an app and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity, you can check the status of your charge, pause it, adjust the rate of charge, and schedule your charge all from your phone.
Pros
- Very clever piece of kit
- Outstanding build quality
Cons
- Not a rapid charger replacement
What do I do if my EV runs out of electricity?
Firstly and frankly, you really shouldn’t. With over 35,000 charging stations around the UK, according to Zap Map, there are plenty of EV charging points without you having to suffer a flat battery. Given Britain’s road network is about a quarter of a million miles in total, that means, on average, there is an EV charger for every 7.08 miles of British road. Of course, there are areas where there are higher concentrations of EV chargers, such as London, but the principle stands because EV charger hotspots align with population density.
However, there are certain scenarios where a portable charger comes in handy, such as if you find yourself venturing up into the wilds of Scotland, where the number of public EV chargers is thinner.
So what are the portable EV charging options?
Power bank-style units are starting to leak onto the scene. There are units popping up, such as the SparkCharge Roadie, but units like this are enormous and horrendously expensive. They are designed primarily for EV charger network providers in order to offer an emergency, mobile fast charge service.
While the technology inevitably works on shrinking the size, we must be content with portable charging cables for the time being because they connect to a 3-pin home plug. They have a fairly low current and therefore don’t charge as fast as public points. But left to charge overnight at your serene hired cottage near Wick, your EV will have plenty of electricity to get you to John o’ Groats, where there are rapid and fast chargers.
For a full rundown on how EV charging works, head to our guide to EV home chargers here.
In a nutshell, EV charging works like this: Current (amps) x Voltage = Power. For example, a charger cable with a 13A current connected to a standard 230-volt 3-pin home plug will produce a power output of 3.0 kilowatts (kW). Therefore, if you have a Nissan Leaf with a 40kWh battery, it will take the 13A charger about 13 hours to charge the battery fully from flat (40 divided by 3). Therefore, these slower charging cables are ideally suited as helpful overnight top-ups.
Chris Williams is a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media and writes across multiple brands such as CAR, Parkers, and Live For The Outdoors.
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