Yeah, I've messed around with one of those portable solar chargers too—borrowed it from a buddy who swears by it. My take:
- Charging speed is definitely slow, like painfully slow if you're expecting a quick boost.
- Cloudy days or shaded areas pretty much kill the efficiency completely.
- It's compact and easy to stash in the trunk, so that's a plus.
- Might be okay as a last-resort backup if you're really desperate and stranded somewhere sunny.
Honestly though, for EV emergencies, I'd lean more toward a solid portable battery pack or just keeping tabs on charging stations along your route. Solar's cool tech-wise, but practically speaking...not quite there yet for reliable roadside use. Maybe in a few years they'll improve enough to reconsider.
"Solar's cool tech-wise, but practically speaking...not quite there yet for reliable roadside use."
Yeah, gotta agree with you there. I looked into those portable solar chargers myself a while back, and while the idea sounds awesome, the reality seems a bit underwhelming. A buddy of mine had one on a camping trip, and after leaving it out all day, he barely got enough juice to charge his phone halfway—let alone topping up an EV battery.
Honestly, if you're worried about getting stranded, I'd say your best bet is still good old-fashioned planning ahead. Apps like PlugShare or ChargePoint can be lifesavers. Also, roadside assistance coverage specifically tailored for EVs is becoming more common now, and it can really take the stress out of longer trips. Solar might get there eventually, but for now, I'd stick with something a bit more dependable.
Yeah, solar's definitely neat in theory, but I wouldn't rely on it for emergencies just yet. Reminds me of when I tried one of those portable jump starters that claimed to hold a charge for months...only to find it dead when I actually needed it. Learned my lesson there—always have a backup plan and don't trust the marketing hype too much. Maybe someday solar will catch up, but until then, I'm sticking with proven methods.
Totally agree with you there—solar's promising, but it's not quite there yet for emergency reliability. Had a similar experience with one of those compact jump starters myself. Worked great the first couple times, then left me hanging when I really needed it. Now I just keep a good set of jumper cables and a portable battery pack handy. Old-school methods might not be flashy, but they're dependable...and that's what counts when you're stuck somewhere.
Had a similar experience myself—got stranded once with an EV rental on a road trip. Thought I'd be clever and packed one of those solar chargers... yeah, big mistake. Ended up chatting with a friendly tow truck driver for an hour instead. Lesson learned: always have a solid backup plan.
