Portable (Mobile) EV Charger: What Is It, Who Is It For, How Much Does It Cost?

You have bought an electric car, but fitting a wall-mounted charging unit (a wallbox) at your home or in your garage is not always easy. You may be renting, your car park may be shared, or you may need to charge the car in different places. This is exactly where the portable (mobile) charger comes in: you take it out of its case, plug it into a socket and charge your car. In this article we explain in plain language what a portable car charger is, who it suits and what determines its price.

What is a portable (mobile) charger?

A portable charger is a car charging device that needs no fixed installation and that you can carry with you. Most models come with a carrying case, live in your boot and are plugged into a socket whenever you need them. "Mobile charger", "portable charger" or simply "charger" all describe the same product. That is the fundamental difference from the fixed charging unit mounted on the wall (the wallbox): one stays fixed on the wall and requires installation, the other travels in a case and is plugged into a socket.

Who is a mobile charger suitable for?

A portable charger is useful in almost every situation where fitting a fixed unit is difficult or unnecessary:

• Those who rent, or who cannot fit a fixed unit in their car park
• Those without a garage, who charge the car on the street or at various points
• Those who want a practical solution for places visited occasionally, such as a summer house, a second home or a village house
• Those who want to charge their car both at home and at work
• Professionals who need to charge at different locations, such as fleets, field teams and service crews
• Drivers who want to keep a spare charger in the boot for the road

Can a car be charged from an ordinary household socket? A safety note

Yes, with the most basic model you can charge from a standard household socket (Schuko); however, this is the slowest method and the one that calls for the most care. Charging a car keeps the socket under load for a long time, so sound, good-quality wiring is essential. Always use a device that has passed CE conformity testing and plug the device directly into the wall socket; avoid extension cables and multi-way (power strip) sockets, because they create a risk of overheating and fire. If your socket is old or weak, have it checked by a qualified electrician before you start charging.

Can I plug it in and use it myself?

This is the greatest advantage of a portable device: because the device itself is plug-and-play, you do not need an electrician to use it; you take it out of the case, plug it into a suitable socket and start charging. A wall-mounted wallbox, by contrast, requires a fixed installation, wiring and usually an electrician. The one exception is on the socket side: if an industrial (CEE) socket or a three-phase line is needed for charging at a higher power, that socket or line may have to be run by a qualified electrician. Plugging in and using the device is up to you; when infrastructure is needed, leave the job to an expert.

The Bemis portable charger models

Bemis's portable chargers come in three models, from the most basic household socket to professional three-phase use. All are produced in our own facility and pass CE conformity testing; the protection rating is IP66 on the Mini Mobile and Mono Mobile with LED indicators and IP65 on the Pro Mobile 2 with a display (resistant to dust and water). The table below summarises which model suits whom:

• Mini Mobile: the simplest option, plugged straight into the ordinary socket at home (Schuko); comes with a carrying case.
• Mono Mobile: higher power on the single-phase side; adapts to different sockets with CEE 16/32 A industrial socket adapters and a Schuko outlet.
• Pro Mobile 2: designed for professional use, with 22 kW three-phase power (an 11 kW option is also available), CEE 5/16 A and 5/32 A adapters and current steps adjustable between 6/10/16/20/25/32 A.

How much does a portable charger cost? What determines the price?

Let us be clear: a portable charger has no single "list price", because the price varies with your needs. Bemis gives its prices through its dealers, according to current conditions. So it is more accurate to look at the quotation drawn up for you rather than at the general figures you see online. The main factors that determine the price are these:

• Power (kW): higher power means faster charging and affects the cost.
• Single-phase or three-phase: three-phase models (for example the Pro Mobile 2) are more powerful.
• The adapter set: the range of extra socket adapters, such as Schuko and CEE 16/32 A, varies.
• Case and accessories: a carrying case and additional equipment may be included in the package.
• Brand, certification and warranty: CE conformity testing, IP65 protection and the assurance of manufacture in our own facility add lasting value.

In short, the answer to "how much?" depends on the model you choose and on your needs. For a clear, current price, it is enough to get a quotation from your nearest Bemis dealer.

Which model should I choose?

The choice really comes down to two questions: what socket do you have, and how fast do you want to charge?

• You only have the ordinary socket at home and a basic solution is enough: Mini Mobile.
• You want faster charging and can reach an industrial (CEE) socket: Mono Mobile.
• You need professional, fleet or field use and three-phase power: Pro Mobile 2.

If you are still undecided, you can look at our guide that helps you choose the right device step by step, or read our article comparing a fixed unit with a portable device.