The difference at a glance
| Portable charger | Charging station | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Wall socket (Schuko) or three-phase (CEE) | Fixed, on a dedicated circuit |
| Charging power | Up to 3.7 kW from a wall socket; up to 11 or 22 kW on three-phase | 3.7 to 22 kW, depending on your supply and your car |
| Installation | Not needed | By an electrician |
| On the road | Travels in the car | Stays at home |
| Extras | Delayed charging on some models | App, RFID or load balancing on some models |
When should you choose a portable charger?
- You have a plug-in hybrid, or you don't drive far each day.
- You rent, or you can't (yet) have a charging station installed.
- You also want to charge on holiday, with family or at a campsite.
- You want a backup next to your charging station.
- You have a three-phase outlet in your garage: with a three-phase portable charger you then charge just as fast as with a charging station.
If you often charge from a regular socket, also read Charging your car from a wall socket: is it safe?
When should you choose a charging station?
- You charge every day and drive a lot.
- Your car charges on three phases and you want to use that.
- Your fuse box is busy, for example with a heat pump or induction hob, and you want load balancing.
- You don't want to get a cable out every time (charging station with a tethered cable), or you want to record business charging costs with a MID meter.
See the charging stations with a socket, with a tethered cable and with load balancing.
What fits your car?
A portable charger has to match your car's inlet: Type 1 or Type 2. Charging stations have a Type 2 connection; if your car has Type 1, choose a charging station with a socket and a Type 1 charging cable. The number plate check shows which portable chargers and charging cables fit your car.