We compared 4 portable chargers for electric vehicles. Why are you paying extra for them?
We compared four portable EV chargers starting at 13,000 crowns. What extra features do they offer compared to a regular cable, and is it worth paying more?
Why did we choose chargers priced from 13,000 to 27,000 crowns?
You can spend less than 5,000 crowns on a charging cable, but it can also cost over 20,000 crowns. The difference doesn’t lie solely in the brand or length. We compared four portable chargers that do more than just connect a car to a charging station.
A regular Type 2 cable connects a vehicle to a wallbox or public AC charging station. The models we selected have their own control and protection electronics, allowing charging from a standard electrical outlet. A more accurate term for these is portable charging stations.
For this review, we chose the futurego from ČEZ, along with the Juice Booster 2, NRGkick, and Green Cell Habu—four models available in the Czech market. In addition to price and performance, we compare the adapters, controls, and energy consumption tracking features.
Parameter
ČEZ futurego
Juice Booster 2
NRGkick 32 A
Green Cell Habu
Price including VAT
26 620 CZK
25 990 CZK
19 680 CZK
13 153 CZK
What’s included in the price
Cable, carrying case, three adapters, manuals, and pre-installed SIM card
Cable, bag, three adapters
22kW version, 5 m, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, one CEE 32 A adapter
11kW device, 7 m, fixed CEE 16 A plug
Maximum AC power output
22 kW
22 kW
22 kW
11 kW
Length per specification
Working length of at least 5 m
3.1 m to car + 1.4 m cable and adapter
Selected version is 5 m
7 m
Connection to outlet
Interchangeable Schuko/French adapters, CEE 16/32 A
Home outlet, CEE 16/32 A included
Interchangeable adapters; CEE 32 A included in the listed price
Fixed CEE 16 A plug
Control and connectivity
Display, Wi-Fi, GSM/LTE
Button, status LEDs; no app required
App, Bluetooth/Wi-Fi; mobile connection available at extra cost
Display, GC app
Notable features
Metering electricity meter, OCPP, relationship tracking
Automatic adapter recognition
Expandable functions for PV systems and OCPP available at extra cost
Seven-meter cable and lower price
Czech offering
ČEZ ESCO – inquiry
Autonabijeni.cz
Smart charging
Mironet.cz
Price note
Price verified by the editorial team; services need to be specified
Price of a specific set
Total of configurator items
Price of a specific offer
ČEZ futurego: focus on oversight of corporate charging
Futurego from ČEZ offers charging at up to 22 kW and supports adapters for household outlets as well as industrial CEE 16 A and CEE 32 A plugs. Its working length is at least five meters, with a weight ranging from 3.5 to 3.9 kilograms depending on the adapter used.
Key features include an integrated billing meter, memory for charging sessions, and connectivity via Wi-Fi or GSM/LTE. OCPP support enables integration with charging management systems, which is particularly useful for business vehicles.
The price of Futurego is 26,620 CZK including VAT, and it includes a cable, carrying case, three adapters, manuals, and a pre-installed SIM card. Charging can be monitored through ČEZ’s web platform, which displays individual charging sessions, consumption, and related costs.
Juice Booster 2: three adapters in one set
Juice Booster 2 can handle up to 22 kW and automatically detects the power adapter, adjusting the charging current accordingly. This means the driver doesn’t need to manually set the limit when changing the connector. The current can be further reduced using a button.
The Czech seller offers the set for 25,990 CZK including VAT. It includes a carrying case and three adapters: one for a household outlet, and two for industrial CEE 16 A and CEE 32 A outlets. Thus, the listed price covers equipment for several common connection options.
The manufacturer states an IP67 rating and an aluminum body; the entire cable with connector weighs approximately 4.1 kilograms. This model doesn’t have an app connection, so its features are more suited to drivers seeking a universal connection rather than remote control.
NRGkick: smart features depending on the selected configuration
NRGkick offers a capacity of up to 22 kW in the 32 A version, along with app control and connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Mobile connectivity can be added depending on the configuration. The charging system uses interchangeable plug adapters for various power sources.
The Czech configurator lists the base price at 16,590 CZK, with an upgrade to 22 kW costing an additional 1,200 CZK. Including a CEE 32 A adapter priced at 1,890 CZK, the total cost comes to 19,680 CZK including VAT. This is the five-meter version with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Additional plug adapters, a longer cable, or mobile connectivity will increase the final price. Separate charges apply for activating OCPP and photovoltaic functions as well. Therefore, the choice depends on which features the customer will actually use.
Green Cell Habu: lower price and seven-meter cable
The Green Cell Habu is available at Mironet for 153 CZK including VAT and offers up to 11 kW with a three-phase connection. It features a fixed industrial CEE 16 A plug. For drivers with a compatible outlet, it represents a more affordable option for home charging.
The seven-meter-long Habu cable can facilitate connection in areas where the outlet isn’t right next to the parking spot. The manufacturer states a weight of 3.15 kilograms and an IP55 rating. The display and GC app allow monitoring of charging progress and adjusting settings.
A power output of 11 kW isn’t necessarily a disadvantage when making a choice. If the car’s built-in charger also has the same limit, a more powerful charging device won’t speed up charging. However, due to its fixed plug, the Habu isn’t suitable for those who need to frequently switch between different types of outlets.
Which portable charger should you choose?
For the CEE 16 A socket at home, we would choose Green Cell Habu if the car requires only 11 kW and cost is a deciding factor. Juice Booster 2 makes sense for switching between multiple types of sockets. It includes three adapters, so there’s no need to purchase additional basic sets gradually.
NRGkick is suitable for drivers who want phone control and the ability to expand functions for photovoltaics. However, it’s necessary to calculate the total cost of the entire set before buying. More adapters, a longer cable, and mobile connectivity can change the price difference compared to competitors.
For a business vehicle, the ČEZ futurego charging cable with a billing meter and data transfer to corporate charging management is worth considering. Its main advantage lies in tracking and billing energy usage, whether charging at work, home, or perhaps at a cabin.
Source: original text / Elektrickevozy.cz
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