I've seen those portable battery packs advertised too, and honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. On paper, they sound fantastic—like a quick fix if you're stranded—but practically speaking, I'm not convinced they're worth the investment yet. From what I've gathered, most of these packs only provide enough charge for a handful of miles at best. If you're genuinely stuck somewhere remote or far from a charging station, those few extra miles might not even be enough to get you to safety.
Also, the ones I've looked into aren't exactly cheap or compact. Carrying around something bulky "just in case" seems inconvenient for everyday use. Personally, I'd rather invest in better planning—like charging to 90% or even 100% before a longer winter trip (even though I know it's not ideal for battery health). Sometimes peace of mind outweighs optimal battery management.
About your tip on moving around inside the car—I totally get the logic behind it, but I'd probably lean toward layering up with blankets and extra clothing instead. Keeping active inside a parked car could work short-term, but in extreme cold conditions, you might end up losing more body heat if you're sweating or breathing heavily. Staying calm and bundled up might actually conserve energy better. At least that's what my dad always taught me when we'd get stuck in snowstorms growing up.
That said, your friend's camping experience probably has merit too—maybe it's just situational. Either way, it's always good to have multiple strategies in mind for emergencies like these.
