With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, drivers are specifically looking for both faster and easier charging options to travel with ease. A portable charger provides flexibility to EV drivers using public charging stations and will allow for easy home, work, friend’s house and road trip charging.
Determining which is the best, fastest and safest Level 2 portable EV charging option—along with accessibility and flexibility—are all important factors for a potential user looking to purchase a new Level 2 charger. In this article we will discuss how “Level 2” portable chargers function; which features are the most essential; and what to consider when selecting an appropriate Level 2 portable charger based on your specific needs as an EV owner, vehicle type as well as lifestyle.
A portable level II electric vehicle (E.V.) charger is a small charging device that connects to a 240 volt power outlet and produces much faster charging speeds than a traditional Level I charger.
Typical home outlets provide only 3 to 5 miles of charging range for each hour that you use a Level One charger; if you want a greater amount of driving range then a Level Two charger will give you approximately 20 to 40 miles for every hour of use depending upon both the output of your particular Level Two charger and how much charge capacity your automobile requires (i.e., how big is its battery).
The major benefit of using a portable Level 2 charger is that you are able to charge your electric vehicle when travelling. A portable unit can be stored in the electric vehicle and charged from any location where a suitable outlet exists.
These days, charging flexibility is as important to many electric vehicle (EV) drivers as charging quickly. A portable charger has a number of practical advantages.
This will give you a dependable alternative to public charging across multiple locations if there are no public charging stations available; and then you would not need to spend time looking for different types of electric vehicle (EV) chargers wherever you might be travelling; as it will take care of these issues as well with just one charger. You can use the same charger at home and on the go!
Modern chargers feature smart functionalities that allow adjustable output amps, timer-based charging, and LCD displays along with advanced safety features.
Not all chargers are created equal. Before purchasing, consider several important factors.
Charging Speed and Amperage
Portable Level 2 chargers typically output between 16 and 40 amps and faster charging rates are possible if the charger has a higher amperage output and both your vehicle and electrical circuit can support it.
Most current EV owners find that the best charging solution is a 32 amp charging station to meet their charging speed needs while still having the option to charge from either 240V or 120V outlets.
Universal Vehicle Compatibility
Need to get your hands on the standard J1772 car charger; compatible with pretty much every EV sold in North America, but will work with an adapter if you’re a Tesla owner.
Charger is compatible with numerous brands including Tesla, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Volkswagen, Rivian and more.
Portability and Build Quality
An ideal portable power bank should not only be lightweight but also have a robust construction and be easily portable. Weatherproof cases and heavy-duty cables are particularly useful for people who use their power banks outside on a regular basis.
Safety Certifications
Never neglect safety! Find out if the item carries any certifications like UL, ETL, FCC and/or CSA. Also make sure it has safeguards against over voltage, over current, overheating, leakage current and short circuiting.
A lot of buyers now are searching for both the highest level 1 & level 2 portable charger options for their EVs, as these types of chargers provide the most flexibility.
A charging station that can use either 120 volts (standard house outlet) or240 volt (high-powered charging/level 2) outlets will allow you to charge your electric vehicle at the lower speed (level 1) when there are only regular 120 -volt homes available for charging and at the higher speed (level 2) when there are available 240-volt outlets.
The ability of this versatility to eliminate range anxiety and make it easier for drivers to take long journeys is extremely beneficial for drivers who regularly travel.
A quality portable level 1 and level 2 EV charging solution provides two different ways to charge your electric vehicle in one unit, which is one of the best ways to invest in owning an electric vehicle.
A portable charger may be an ideal choice if you:
Many Electric Vehicle (“EV”) owners find that portable Level 2 chargers provide them with the ideal combination of ease-of-use and good charging capability.
Charging velocities vary according to many influencing factors, such as the type of charge station being used or what station type is compatible with the vehicle’s manufacturer specifications; custom applications exist to help define maximum allowable current output based on these factors.
An example might be a 32 Amp Level 2 charger recharging a majority of the Electric Vehicle batteries from 20% charged to 80% charged overnight. This means that charging overnight at home would provide practicality and convenience for daily commuting requirements.
The amount of time it takes to charge an electric vehicle may be decreased from 20 to over 70 percent compared to charging at a Level 1 charging station.
Do many EV users doubt if they can get away without installing an electric vehicle charging unit on the wall and use only a portable charger?
For many households, the answer is yes.
Portable chargers give you more options and are cheaper to install than hard-wired ones, but hard-wired wall chargers may provide a greater capacity for charging as well as more smart home automation functionalities.
A good-quality portable charger can provide you with all of the necessary functionality if portability is essential for you, and your power requirements are not excessive since they don’t have to be permanently installed.
Portable Level 2 chargers are an excellent option for many electric vehicle (EV) drivers. They offer much faster recharging rates than Level 1 chargers, but also allow for flexibility regarding where you can plug them. Plus, today’s portable chargers come with many of the latest technologies to help provide multiple safety features, adjustable power settings and compatibility with many different types of EVs.
If you frequently travel for business or cannot find a place to permanently set up a wall charger, a portable Level 2 charger is usually an ideal charging solution for your vehicle.
There are a lot of chargers to choose from, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs. In general, though, you’re looking for a charger that has an output of between 32A and 40A, is rated high for safety features, can resist all weather, and will work with your vehicle. Adjustable amperage and dual voltage are also nice features to have.
When selecting an electric vehicle charger, Canadian EV owners will benefit from selecting a charger that is Canada approved, functions properly at low temperatures (minus 30 degrees Celsius) and has been designed to resist the elements including snow, rain and extreme weather.
For use in Canada, a charger with CSA, UL, or ETL certification (with durable cords rated for outdoor use) and adjustable current output is typically the most appropriate option.
A lot of the portable Type 2 charging equipment is built for an outside environment and typically has an IP-rated weatherproof rating. Always check the specifications supplied by the manufacturer and comply with their operating and installation requirements.
Absolutely. Tesla electric cars will accept just about any portable Level 2 charger using the correct adapter for Tesla’s different types of plugs, which are J1772. A lot of Tesla owners use a portable charger since it is a good solution when traveling as an alternative to getting stranded or missed charging opportunities.
Finding an excellent portable electric vehicle charger (EV) is based on how quickly it will charge the vehicle, how easy it is to move and carry, how safe it is to use, and how many electric vehicles and types of outlets it will be able to connect with. Having a high-quality portable charger will enable EV owners to have an easy experience When traveling with a dedicated travel charger, A universal level 2 home charging option for flexibility with Your current or future level 2 electric vehicle, or a dual voltage (both level 1 and level 2) charger to accommodate multiple charging needs and locations will all make EV ownership much more convenient. If the charger has an acceptable safety rating, durable design, and can work with many EVs, you will be ready for daily driving as well as long-distance traveling for any situation and charge your Electric Vehicle (EV) while you are away from home.
Xinya Dongfang Electricity Technology Co., Ltd.
