Fix For EV Range Anxiety - Portable Charge

 ZipCharge Go - Portable EV Charger

Take the EV Charger With You While You Drive

At the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, a UK tech startup ZipCharge unveiled a portable electric vehicle charger that fits into the trunk of an electric vehicle.  It's called ZipCharge Go. And it could be a gamechanger for EV drivers running low on a charge and without access to a nearby charging station.  This portable power bank can add up to 40 miles worth of ride time. The inventors say it is a solution to EV range anxiety and could serve as a catalyst to accelerate EV sales. One of the biggest barriers to widespread use of electric vehicle is "charging anxiety" and this removes the anxiety by taking the charger with you. ZipCharge says Go provides easier, cheaper and more convenient charges.

How Does It Work?

ZipCharge is designed to be charged at home using a 3-prong plug.  It can be used to charge the EV at your garage or parking space, which the inventors say is much less expensive than using a charging station. It weighs 50 pounds and is the size of a suitcase.  It can be transported in the car for use as an emergency backup if the charge on the EV gets low.  The driver needs to pull off the road and attach the charger.  The high energy density lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) battery cell pack comes in two versions.  The smaller has 4kWh capacity that can provide an extra 20 miles of ride time in an half hour.  The 8 kWh version can add an extra 40 miles of ride time in an hour.

When Is It Available & Does It Have AI?

ZipCharge Go will launch in Q4 2022.  It can be bought directly or rented for a $68 monthly subscription fee. Purchase price hasn't been disclosed but it is expected to be in the 500 to 1000 euro range or $577 to $1,154.  Go contains AI that learns the user's charging habits and makes recommendations on optimal times to recharge.  It is also equipped with 3G and 4G connectivity for smartphone apps, remote diagnostics, tracking technology and more.  Go also has bi-directional AC-DC inverters to charge from the Grid to Go and from Go to the Grid.  It even has energy storage capacity.