Can a power station charge an electric car?
Technically yes, practically only a few miles. A standard Level 1 charger draws about 1,440 W from a household outlet, so the station needs at least 1500 W of continuous output. And an EV battery holds 50 to 100 kWh, about 50 times more than a large portable station.
| Station | Miles added (about) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 Wh | 3 miles |
| 2,000 Wh | 5 miles |
| 3,000 Wh | 8 miles |
| 5,000 Wh | 13 miles |
These assume about 3.5 miles per kWh, typical for an efficient EV, and roughly 10% lost in the car’s charger. Trucks and large SUVs manage less.
When it’s worth it
A few miles can get you to a charger if you’re stranded, so a large station in the trunk is a reasonable emergency backup. As a regular way to charge, it isn’t: charging the station from the wall and then the car from the station loses energy twice.
See high-output power stations on Amazon
Figures assume 85% efficiency on AC and typical draws. The label on your appliance, or a plug-in power meter, gives the exact number; enter it in the calculator.