What are the best portable power stations for emergency EV charging?

Electric cars can now travel further on a single charge than ever before. However, for Electric Vehicle owners that need to travel more than 200 miles at one time, running out of energy while on the road is still a concern. One solution is to travel with a portable power station. These backup batteries can give your EV a temporary energy boost when you’re on the road and a charging station isn’t available. This article provides a list of portable power stations that will work for an EV, along with the estimated number of miles each one can provide.

Can you charge an EV with a portable battery?

Yes, you can charge an electric vehicle (EV) with a portable battery, but there are limitations. Portable power stations can provide enough charge to make it to a charging station–but they’re not designed to fully charge an EV. A portable power station can give you about 6 to 13 miles on a standard battery. Expansion batteries can get you even farther–potentially up to 80 miles. Charging will be slow, usually with Level 1 (120V AC) outlets, and you’ll need a compatible charging cable.

Understanding Power Station Capabilities

Power Output and Suitability for EVs
Power stations are like portable energy sources, and their strength is measured in kilowatts (kW). A power station with a higher kW output can charge bigger EV batteries faster. For example:

• A small power station with 2 kW might work for smaller EVs or hybrid cars but would be too slow for larger electric cars.
• A stronger power station with 7-10 kW is better for larger EVs because it can deliver more power and charge them quicker.

Different EV models have different charging needs, so you need to match the power station to your car’s size and battery type.

Charging Time for EVs
The time it takes to charge an EV depends on two things:

1. The size of the car’s battery (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh). Bigger batteries, like 60 kWh or 80 kWh, take longer to charge.
2. The power output of the station. A 10 kW power station will charge a 50 kWh battery in about 5 hours (50 ÷ 10 = 5). A smaller 2 kW station would take 25 hours for the same battery!

Knowing your EV’s battery size and the power station’s kW can help you plan charging times.

Calculating EV mileage
To calculate the estimated mileage for each of these portable power stations when charging an electric vehicle (EV), we’ll use the formula:

• Capacity (Wh) divided by EV Consumption (Wh per mile) equals Estimated Mileage.
• We’ll assume an EV consumption rate of 300 Wh per mile, which is the average for many electric vehicles.
• For a 100-mile trip, an EV would consume approximately 30 kWh of energy (300 Wh/mile * 100 miles = 30,000 Wh = 30 kWh).

AC vs. DC Charging

• AC (Alternating Current): This is the type of electricity you get from most outlets. Many power stations provide AC charging, but it’s slower because the EV has to convert AC into DC (the type of electricity the battery uses).
• DC (Direct Current): Some power stations offer DC charging, which skips the conversion step and charges the battery much faster.

When picking a power station, check if it supports DC charging, especially if you have a bigger EV battery. It will save you a lot of time!

What are the best portable power stations for emergency EV charging?

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Anker SOLIX F2000

• Baseline Capacity: 2,048Wh
• Expansion Capacity: 4,096Wh
• Output: 2,400W (3,600W surge)
• Estimated Mileage w/ Baseline Capacity: 6.8 miles
• Estimated Mileage w/ Expanded Capacity: 13.6 miles

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Bluetti AC200L

• Baseline Capacity: 2,048Wh
• Expansion Capacity: 8,192Wh
• Output: 2,400W
• Estimated Mileage w/ Baseline Capacity: 6.8 miles
• Estimated Mileage w/ Expanded Capacity: 27.3 miles

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Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

• Baseline Capacity: 3.6kWh
• Expansion Capacity: 25kWh
• Output: 3,600W (7,200W surge power)
• Estimated Mileage w/ Baseline Capacity: 12 miles
• Estimated Mileage w/ Expanded Capacity: 83.3 miles

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EcoFlow DELTA Pro

• Baseline Capacity: 3.6 kWh
• Expansion Capacity: Expands to 25 kWh
• Output: 3600W (7200W surge power)
• Estimated Mileage at Baseline Capacity: 12 miles
• Estimated Mileage at Expanded Capacity: 83.3 miles

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Bluetti AC500 + B300S Expansion Battery

• Capacity: 3072Wh
• Output: 3000W
• Estimated Mileage at Baseline Capacity: 10 miles

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Goal Zero Yeti 6000X

• Capacity: 6071Wh
• Output: 6000W
• Estimated Mileage at Baseline Capacity: 24 miles

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How many miles can a portable power station charge an EV?

To estimate how many miles each portable power station could power an electric vehicle (EV), we can calculate how far an EV would travel on a given amount of energy (Wh).

EV Energy Consumption Estimates:

1. Hyundai Ioniq 5: ~275 Wh/mile
2. Tesla Model 3: ~260 Wh/mile
3. Kia EV9: ~400 Wh/mile
4. BMW i4: ~300 Wh/mile
5. Rivian R1T: ~480 Wh/mile

Now, using these consumption estimates and the energy capacity of the portable power stations, we calculates the miles each EV can be powered.

Power Station	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Tesla Model 3	Kia EV9	BMW i4	Rivian R1T
Anker SOLIX F2000	7.45 miles	7.88 miles	5.12 miles	6.83 miles	4.27 miles
Bluetti AC200L	7.45 miles	7.88 miles	5.12 miles	6.83 miles	4.27 miles
EcoFlow DELTA Pro	13.09 miles	13.85 miles	9.00 miles	12.00 miles	7.50 miles
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus	13.09 miles	13.85 miles	9.00 miles	12.00 miles	7.50 miles
Bluetti AC500 + B300S	11.17 miles	11.82 miles	7.68 miles	10.24 miles	6.40 miles
Goal Zero Yeti 6000X	22.07 miles	23.35 miles	15.18 miles	20.24 miles	12.65 miles

Related Topics

• Understanding Rechargeable Battery Technology
• Portable Power Station Maintenance Guide: Tips & Tricks
• Portable Power Station Outlet Guide & Compatibility
• How to Choose the Right Portable Power Station Battery Capacity
• Bluetti Review: Power Stations with 10-Year Battery Lifespan
• EcoFlow Battery Technology: Advanced Portable Power Solutions
• Jackery Review: Rugged Power Stations for Outdoor Adventures
• GRECELL Review: Testing the P500 Portable Power Station

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What is an emergency portable electric car power supply?

Using a portable power station to charge your EV is the equivalent of having a spare gas tank in the trunk of your car.

• You won’t be able to fully recharge your EV back to 100%, but it will provide a short term boost so you can safely reach your destination or a public charging station.
• You should be able to charge your EV in less than 30 minutes, assuming the power station is in good working condition.
• Portable power stations are an expensive investment and should not be the primary way you charge your EV.
• They are an invaluable tool to make sure you’re always prepared for emergencies and power outages due to bad weather, off-grid camping or special outdoor events.

What you should consider before buying your portable power station:

• Make sure the power station delivers Pure Sine Wave. Some electric cars, like any Tesla model, require pure sine waves. This is a steady, continuous flow of energy that is not modified or interrupted. Using modified sine waves can damage your EV battery and potentially make the vehicle unusable.
• Use an RV Adaptor Cable & Ground Plug to safely connect the power station to the EV – You’ll need additional gear to connect your EV to a portable power station. These include an RV adaptor cable (about $40) and a neutral ground plug (about $15).
• The RV cable allows you to connect the EV mobile charging cable to the portable power station. Plug the neutral ground plug into any of the power station’s AC inputs.
• Use solar panels to recharge your power station when you’re off grid. Many power stations offer dual charging so that you can recharge while you charge your EV.
• A power station can deliver about 4 miles per 1 kilowatt hour of energy. Thus, if a power station has battery capacity of 2 kilowatt hours, it can deliver 8 miles of energy to the EV.

What makes a good emergency electric car power supply?

• Firstly, it should have a capacity of at least 1 kilowatt hours or 1,000 watts of power. This equates to roughly 4 miles of energy for the EV. Ideally, your emergency power supply should have a 2 kilowatt hours, 2,000 watts, or more. 
• Secondly, it should be easy to operate and maintain. If the power supply is heavy, it should come equipped with handles or wheels so that you can transport easily.
• Thirdly, it should be reliable and robust, able to withstand extreme weather conditions and rough handling.

How do you choose the best portable power stations for emergency EV charging?

• First, consider the size and capacity of the unit. A larger unit will be able to provide more energy, but may be significantly more expensive. 
• Second, consider the portability of the unit. A unit that is easily portable will be more convenient in an emergency situation. 
• Finally, consider the price of the unit. A more expensive unit may have more features and a longer warranty, but a less expensive unit may be just as effective in an emergency situation.

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FAQs portable power stations for emergency EV charging