Charging Your EV Anywhere: The Challenges of a Mobile Power Bank

A new mobile backup battery is being developed for electric vehicles, how useful could this be?

Croatian electric vehicle experts, the EV Clinic, have brought countless electric vehicles back to life. Now, the they are working on a new self-help solution: a mobile backup battery for EVs. This battery can also charge other devices, but it comes with a few limitations. This technology could be developed and imported to the U.S and other markets. 

The Croatian workshop "EV Clinic" specializes in repairing electric and hybrid vehicles, earning an international reputation. They even successfully repaired the record-breaking Tesla which had clocked nearly 2 million kilometers, after other shops turned the owner away. Now, the EV Clinic is offering an innovative new product in their online store: the "Not-a-Canister," a power bank for electric vehicles that looks like a gas can and is made from recycled battery cells of a Tesla Model S.

The "Not-a-Canister Power Bank" showcases the potential for carrying extra power for your EV without adding environmental harm. The power bank uses recycled Panasonic 18650NM cells from Tesla Model S vehicles, offering 5.2 kWh of capacity (4.2 kWh usable). It can be charged via a standard outlet or a solar panel, with a charging capacity of up to 250 watts, expandable to 2,000 watts.

However, there are drawbacks: weighing about 110 pounds, the canister is cumbersome to handle. Its maximum charging power of 2,500 watts, similar to a household outlet, means it takes around 100 minutes to transfer the full 4.2 kWh to your EV, providing less than 12 miles of additional range.

Priced at around $5,500, the EV Clinic's canister is expensive compared to other options. For instance, Ecoflow offers a 3.6 kWh battery with 3.5 kW output for around $2,700. You can even expand it to 7.2 kWh and still pay much less. Additionally, the "Not-a-Canister" requires home assembly, while roadside assistance services provide quicker solutions with up to 100 kW charging capabilities, allowing you to recharge in about ten minutes. If they manage to make this more portable and affordable then it could be an interesting option.