The Death of Portable EV Charger: How Superchargers Made The Portable EVSE Obsolete

Superchargers, Tesla’s CCS expansion, and NACS have made portable EV chargers nearly obsolete. Are they still needed, or is fast charging the new standard?

If you’ve been driving an electric vehicle (EV), you’ve probably encountered the trusty portable car charger called an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)—that little device meant to save the day when you need a charge on a road trip. Back in the early days of EV ownership, you needed a portable charger for any trip you weren’t planning to come back home by the end of the day. The charging landscape has evolved, with superchargers and fast-charging networks, we now have to ask—do we even need these portable units anymore?

Welcome to the age of the death of portable EV chargers. The rise of superchargers and 3rd party fast chargers is quickly making the portable EVSE a relic of the past.

1. The Early Days of EV Charging

When EVs first hit the market, there was one major hurdle: charging infrastructure. Range anxiety was real. Charging stations were few and far between, and many EV owners relied heavily on electrical outlet charging.

That’s where the portable EVSE came in—providing a safety net for those adventurous enough to take their electric vehicles on the roads less travelled. Whether it was a weekend getaway or a holiday road trip, having a portable charger in the car gave EV owners peace of mind.

If you ran low on charge and couldn’t find a charging station, you could always plug into a standard outlet or public charging outlet with your portable EVSE. But those days are quickly becoming a thing of the past—and that is not a bad thing.

YouTube is filled with content like “how to use your sister’s oven outlet to charge up for the holiday drive.” Going to a friends house and asking where their dryer plug was a relatively “normal” thing to do in the earlier days.

Now, I am not going to lie, videos like that were one of the first things that truly drew me to buying an EV. The independent, guerrilla, wild-west-like beginnings had exciting underdog energy around it. The public fast chargers almost make things more boring. For the general public, boring is good.

2. The Rise of Superchargers and High-Speed Charging Networks

Enter the supercharger. The rise of networks like Tesla Superchargers, Electrify America, and other high-speed charging options has drastically changed the EV landscape.

Superchargers have made the EVSE nearly obsolete. What once took hours to recharge on a Level 2 charger now takes minutes on a supercharger, with charging speeds of 250 kilowatts (kW) and beyond.

Tesla touts 12-15 minute charging time at a super charger; however, I typically spend about 20-30 minutes. Although, I would personally never say this time has yet caused inconvenience to date.

Public charging infrastructure has become much more robust, and the density of fast chargers along major highways has increased dramatically. Not only are these superchargers faster, but they’re also more reliable and widespread.

There are thousands of fast-charging stations across the country, and more are being added every day. In fact, many EV owners now find themselves relying on public superchargers for their long-distance travel instead of worrying about portable chargers.

The growth of these networks is reshaping the way we think about EV charging. As of 2025, there are over 60,000+ Superchargers, with numbers projected to increase rapidly. This growth is quickly surpassing the need for home chargers and, by extension, the portable EVSE.

3. Why Portable EVSEs Are Becoming Less Relevant

One of the biggest advancements in public EV charging has been the expansion of Tesla’s network beyond just Tesla vehicles. For years, Tesla’s Supercharger network was a closed system, available only to Tesla owners.

However, with the introduction of the Tesla to combined charging standard (CCS) adapter, more EVs gained access to the vast Supercharger network, increasing the availability of high-speed charging options. The introduction of the CCS to Tesla adapter also added much-needed reverse compatibility.

Even more significant is the standardization of the North American Charging Standard (NACS). Once an exclusive Tesla connector, NACS is now being widely adopted by other automakers, ensuring that future EVs will have seamless access to the best fast-charging network in the country. This shift means that more drivers will be able to rely on high-speed chargers rather than slower portable EVSEs or outdated infrastructure.

With these developments, public charging has become more universal, faster, and more convenient—reducing the need for a backup portable charger even further. As EV charging networks continue to grow, the role of portable EVSEs is shrinking, making them less of a necessity and more of a niche backup option for extreme cases.

The shift to high-speed chargers means that slow Level 1 and Level 2 charging are becoming less essential. With the growing availability of superchargers and other fast-charging stations, the once-necessary backup solution—the portable EVSE—has become more of an afterthought.

In the past, EV owners worried about running out of juice before reaching their next charging station. But now, with more chargers along the way and improved technology that allows for quicker refueling, range anxiety is diminishing. EVs are now built with fast-charging in mind, and many newer models can handle these higher charging speeds with ease.

4. Are There Still Use Cases for Portable EVSEs?

That said, there are still scenarios where a portable EVSE can be useful—though it’s no longer a necessity for the average EV owner. I own one and have only used it once to test it and make sure it works. Tesla stopped including this with the purchase of the vehicle and it is clear why.

Here are a few situations where you might still find value in carrying one:

• Road trips in remote areas: If you’re heading off the beaten path to remote locations where charging stations aren’t readily available, a portable charger might still provide some peace of mind. While this trend will also reduce over time, not all roads have the infrastructure to even support small supercharger installations (e.g., U.S. National Parks).

• Visiting destinations without chargers: Not all Airbnb rentals, remote cabins, or vacation spots have EV chargers. If you’re traveling to such places, a portable EVSE could come in handy.

• Emergencies and power outages: If you find yourself in a situation where your home charging station is down (e.g., during a power outage or natural disaster), a portable EVSE could be a temporary solution to keep your vehicle charged at a friends or neighbors house.

• Use as your main charger: While hardwired has its perks, many people can get by with only a “portable” EVSE just as well. They support identical charging speeds, are equally reliable, and can be a lot cheaper. Not to mention, the rare times you need it to be portable, just remove it from the wall!

But these are edge cases. For most EV owners who stick to major highways or urban areas, the days of relying on a portable charger are numbered.

5. The Future of EV Charging: Do We Even Need Home Charging?

With the rise of ultra-fast public charging networks, one might wonder: will home charging even be necessary in the future? As EV charging infrastructure continues to improve and battery technology advances, we could eventually see a scenario where public charging networks become the primary source of charging. However the growth has been extraordinary, the truth is, slower at home charging is the best option for EV owners.

Fast chargers, while convenient for long trips and emergencies, are not ideal for regular, daily charging. Consistently using high-speed chargers can strain the battery over time, reducing its long-term efficiency and lifespan. As such, slower, Level 1 or Level 2 chargers are the optimal choice for home charging.

More importantly, it requires you to go out of your way to charge. Stopping somewhere to fill up is an internal combustion engine (ICE) trend that can fall as a driving norm. This is where home charging shines—it allows you to top up your EV’s battery slowly and steadily overnight, ensuring your car is always ready for the day without over-stressing the battery.

How much active time of your day do you spend charging? Ideally 0. For most daily commutes, a slow charge at home is more than enough.

As mentioned in the Optimal At-Home Electric Car Charging Setup – Ultimate Guide, home chargers provide the best balance of convenience, cost-effectiveness, and battery preservation. So, while fast chargers will continue to play a crucial role in long-distance travel, slower charging should remain the standard for everyday use, ensuring both your car’s health and your convenience.

Conclusion – Death of Portable EV Charger

The days of the portable EVSE being a must-have accessory are slowly coming to an end. With the rise of superchargers and fast-charging networks, most EV owners now find themselves covered without needing to carry around that extra charger. While portable EVSEs still have niche uses in certain scenarios, their relevance has certainly diminished.

So, what’s your experience with portable EVSEs? Do you still carry one, or have you embraced the convenience of fast-charging networks? Share your thoughts and let me know how you approach charging on the road.

One thing’s for sure: the future of EV charging is fast, reliable, and always rapidly evolving—and the main use for Portable EVSEs is dead.

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