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⚡ Top Picks at a Glance
🏆 Best for Tesla Owners
Tesla Mobile Connector
6-metre cable with 10A and 15A Australian plug adapters included. The factory option, works on any Type 2 EV (unofficially).
~$350–400 AUD
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🚐 Best for Road Trips
EVSE Australia Mini Portable 15A
15A plug with a long 10-metre cable. Turns caravan-park 15A sockets into overnight charging stops. RCM compliant local brand.
$349 AUD
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💰 Best Budget
dé 3.5kW Adjustable (6–15A)
Type 2 portable charger with adjustable current, 6-metre TPU cable and a wall mount bracket included. Compatible with all Type 2 EVs.
$189.95 AUD
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What Is a Portable EV Charger?
A portable EV charger — also called a portable EVSE or a "granny charger" — is a charging cable with a built-in control box. One end plugs into an ordinary wall socket, the other into your car's Type 2 charge port. The control box is the brains: it talks to the car, tells it how much current is safe to draw, and cuts power if anything looks wrong.
The "granny charger" nickname comes from the UK — the idea being it's the cable you use at granny's house where there's no proper charger. It captures the role perfectly: it's the universal fallback that makes every powerpoint in the country a potential charging point.
Most new EVs sold in Australia come with one in the boot, but not all — new Teslas no longer include one, so the Mobile Connector has become a must-buy accessory for Tesla owners. A standard 10-amp portable charger delivers about 2.3kW, which sounds slow until you do the maths: the average Australian car covers around 35km a day, and overnight (10 hours) on a powerpoint adds roughly 100 to 150km of range. For a lot of owners, the granny cable genuinely is enough for months before they decide whether to install a wallbox.
If you're weighing up a full home charging station instead, see our Best EV Home Chargers Australia guide, and our step-by-step EV home charger installation guide for the wiring and approvals side of things.
10A vs 15A vs 32A Adjustable
Portable chargers in Australia come in three practical grades, defined by the socket they plug into:
| Type |
Power |
Range per hour |
Typical price (late 2026) |
| 10A (standard powerpoint) |
~2.3kW |
10 to 15km |
$190 to $600 — often included with the car |
| 15A (needs a 15A socket) |
3.3 to 3.6kW |
~20km |
$300 to $800 |
| Adjustable multi-tail (10A/15A/32A) |
Up to 7.4kW |
Up to ~40km |
$500 to $1,200 |
Things worth knowing before you buy:
- A 15A plug has a wider earth pin and will not fit a standard 10A socket. You need an electrician to install a dedicated 15A outlet, which typically costs a few hundred dollars.
- Adjustable units let you dial the current down for older or dodgy circuits and up where the outlet supports it. The 32A tails fit the same outlets found at caravan parks, which makes multi-tail units popular with grey nomads and road-trippers.
- Never use a 15A-to-10A adapter to "convert" a 15A charger to a standard socket. They bypass the socket's current rating and are not compliant in Australia.
Top 5 Portable EV Chargers Australia 2026
1. Tesla Mobile Connector — Best for Tesla Owners
★★★★★ 10A & 15A adapters · ~2.2kW on 10A / ~3.5kW on 15A · 6-metre cable · ~$350–400 AUD
The Tesla Mobile Connector is the factory portable charger, and the news most new Tesla owners discover at the checkout: it no longer comes with the car. Since Tesla stopped bundling it, a new Tesla arrives with no way to charge from a powerpoint until you buy this separately (around $350 to $400 from the Tesla shop as of 2026).
The Australian kit includes a 6-metre cable and both a standard 10-amp household plug adapter and a 15-amp adapter (the wider-earth-pin type found at caravan parks). On a 10A powerpoint it delivers about 2.2kW — 10 to 15km of range per hour, or roughly 100 to 150km overnight. Plug the 15A tail into a caravan-park socket and that rises to around 20km per hour.
The car end is a standard Type 2 plug, the same connector every new EV in Australia uses, so owners do use Tesla's cable on other brands — though Tesla sells it as a Tesla accessory, so treat cross-brand use as unofficial.
Pros
- The factory-quality option, backed by Tesla
- Both 10A and 15A Australian adapters included
- 6-metre cable reaches most driveways and garages
- Works (unofficially) on any Type 2 EV
Cons
- No longer included with a new Tesla — extra cost
- Tops out at 15A in the official Australian kit
- Cross-brand use is not officially supported
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2. EVSE Australia Mini Portable Type 2 15A — Best for Road Trips
★★★★★ 15A plug · ~3.5kW · 10-metre cable · ~$349 AUD
EVSE Australia is one of the country's established EV charging specialists, and their mini portable Type 2 charger is a favourite with owners who tour. The 15A plug suits the caravan-style sockets you find at caravan parks, showgrounds and regional motels, and the generous 10-metre cable means you can almost always reach the socket from the carport or site.
At around 3.5kW it delivers roughly 20km of range per hour — about 200km over a 10-hour overnight stop, which turns any powered site into a proper charging stop. As a local supplier, EVSE Australia sells RCM-certified gear with local warranty support, which matters when your control box is the safety link between a 240V socket and a $50,000+ car.
Remember: the 15A plug physically won't fit a standard home powerpoint. If you also want to charge at home with it, factor in an electrician to install a 15A outlet.
Pros
- Long 10-metre cable — reaches across sites and driveways
- 15A plug suits caravan-park sockets: ~20km range per hour
- Australian company with RCM-certified products
- Local warranty and support
Cons
- Needs a 15A socket — no home powerpoint charging
- Not as cheap as generic imports
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3. INCHARGEx Portable 10A — Best Local-Brand All-Rounder
★★★★☆ 10A plug · ~2kW · 5-metre cable · ~$360 AUD
INCHARGEx is an Australian portable-charging specialist that has built its whole business around granny chargers and Type 2 cables. Their standard 10A portable unit plugs into any household powerpoint and delivers about 2kW — enough for roughly 10 to 15km of range per hour, or a full overnight top-up for daily commuting.
The 5-metre cable is shorter than some rivals, which is fine for a garage or carport but can be tight at a relative's house or an Airbnb driveway. What you're really paying for is the local engineering and support: the units are designed for Australian sockets and conditions, and the company actively publishes RCM compliance information — a reassuring sign in a market flooded with unbranded imports.
Pros
- Australian specialist brand with real support
- Plug-and-charge from any standard powerpoint
- Designed and certified for Australian conditions
Cons
- Only ~2kW — slow for big daily distances
- 5-metre cable is shorter than some rivals
- Priced above generic imports
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4. dé EV Charger Type 2 3.5kW (6–15A Adjustable) — Best Budget
★★★★☆ 6–15A adjustable · up to 3.5kW · 6-metre TPU cable · $189.95 AUD
The dé portable EV charger has become one of the most popular budget options on Amazon Australia, and it's easy to see why. For under $200 you get a Type 2 charger with adjustable current from 6A to 15A, a tough 6-metre TPU cable, and a wall-mount bracket so it can double as a basic home charger.
The adjustable current is the standout feature at this price. Dial it down to 8A or 10A for older home wiring or a long extension to a shed, then wind it up to the full 15A (~3.5kW) where the circuit can handle it. It's compatible with essentially every Type 2 EV sold in Australia — Model 3/Y, BYD Atto 3, Sealion 7, Dolphin, MG4 and all Type 2 PHEVs.
As with any budget import, check the compliance documentation before you buy and register the warranty. But with thousands sold and solid ratings, it's the least expensive credible way to get a proper adjustable granny charger.
Pros
- Best value adjustable charger under $200
- 6A–15A current dial — safer on older circuits
- Long 6-metre tough TPU cable
- Wall-mount bracket included
- Compatible with all Type 2 EVs and PHEVs
Cons
- Imported brand — check RCM documentation on arrival
- 15A mode still needs a 15A socket
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5. Adjustable 32A (7kW) Portable EVSE — Best for Caravan-Park Outlets
★★★★☆ 6–32A adjustable · up to 7kW · single-phase 32A plug · ~$290 AUD
Adjustable 32A portable chargers are the road-tripper's Swiss Army knife. These units ship with a single-phase 32A plug and an adjustable current dial, so you can charge at up to 7kW from caravan-park 32A outlets, then dial right back to 8A or 10A for an ordinary house powerpoint at the relatives'.
Several adjustable 32A units are listed on Amazon Australia for around $290 (often less with coupons), making them cheaper than some fixed 15A chargers. The trade-off is that they're all imports from lesser-known brands, so the same advice applies: verify RCM compliance markings, test on a protected circuit the first time, and buy from a seller with a real returns policy.
If your road trips regularly take you through regional Australia, this is the category that turns powered sites into fast overnight chargers — up to around 40km of range per hour on a 32A outlet.
Pros
- Up to 7kW — the fastest portable option
- One charger covers 8A house sockets to 32A caravan outlets
- Surprisingly affordable (~$290 range)
Cons
- Generic brands — verify RCM compliance before use
- Full speed needs a 32A outlet at caravan parks
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Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Model |
Plug / Current |
Output |
Range per hour |
Cable |
Price (Oct 2026) |
| Tesla Mobile Connector |
10A + 15A adapters included |
~2.2kW (10A) / ~3.5kW (15A) |
10–15km / ~20km |
6 m |
~$350–400 |
| EVSE Australia Mini Portable 15A |
15A caravan-style plug |
~3.5kW |
~20km |
10 m |
$349 |
| INCHARGEx Portable 10A |
10A household plug |
~2kW |
10–15km |
5 m |
~$360 |
| dé 3.5kW Adjustable |
6–15A adjustable |
up to 3.5kW |
up to ~20km |
6 m TPU |
$189.95 |
| Adjustable 32A portable EVSE |
6–32A adjustable |
up to 7kW |
up to ~40km |
5 m (typical) |
~$290 |
Prices are indicative as of October 2026 and change often — click through to Amazon AU or eBay AU for the live price.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
1. RCM compliance — non-negotiable
The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is the legal certification for electrical equipment sold in Australia. A portable EV charger runs at its maximum current for hours at a time through a household circuit, so the control box's fault protection (overcurrent, overvoltage, overheating, earth-fault detection) has to actually work. Established suppliers publish their compliance documentation; suspiciously cheap unbranded imports often can't. If a listing can't show you the RCM mark, walk away.
2. Plug type and amperage
Match the charger to the sockets you'll actually use. Only ever charge from a powerpoint? A 10A unit. Touring caravan parks? A 15A (or adjustable multi-tail) unit. Want the fastest portable charging available? Adjustable 32A. And remember the cardinal rule: never adapt a 15A or 32A plug down to a 10A socket.
3. Adjustable current
Being able to dial the current down (8A / 10A / 13A / 16A steps are common) protects older wiring and lets you charge safely on circuits you don't fully trust, like a shed or a holiday house. It's worth paying a little extra for.
4. Cable length and quality
Cables range from 5 to 10 metres. Short is fine in a garage; long earns its keep at caravan sites and driveways. Look for TPU or similarly tough cable insulation rated for outdoor use, and an IP55 (or better) rating on the control box for weather protection.
5. Smart features
Some portable chargers include Wi-Fi or Bluetooth apps, charge timers and off-peak scheduling. A timer that starts charging at midnight can cut your charging cost noticeably on time-of-use tariffs — one of the few genuinely useful "smart" features on a portable unit.
6. Brand, warranty and support
Local brands (EVSE Australia, INCHARGEx) offer Australian warranty support and compliance accountability. Global brands like Tesla offer unmatched quality at a premium. Popular Amazon brands like dé offer the best value — just keep your receipt and register the warranty.
Safety Rules Every Owner Should Know
- The socket is the weak link. Charging pulls maximum current for hours, which is the hardest thing you can ask a powerpoint to do. Use healthy, properly wired outlets. If a plug or socket gets warm or hot to the touch, stop and get it checked by an electrician.
- Avoid domestic extension leads. EV manufacturers prohibit them, and the maths on cable heating is unforgiving at multi-hour full current. If a lead is ever truly unavoidable as a one-off, use a heavy-duty tradesman-style 1.5mm² lead, fully unrolled, and charge at reduced current.
- Charge on a protected circuit. Make sure the outlet is on an RCD-protected circuit, and don't run the washing machine, aircon and EV charger off the same circuit at once.
- Keep the control box dry and off the ground. Quality units are weather-rated, but puddles and powerpoints still don't mix. Drape the cable so connections sit off the ground.
- A portable charger is prevention, not rescue. If you run flat on the highway shoulder, a granny cable can't help — there's no socket and no time. That job belongs to roadside assistance. See our guide to choosing the right home EV charger to make sure the everyday charging is sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a portable EV charger (granny charger)?
A charging cable with a built-in control box that lets your EV charge from an ordinary powerpoint. A standard 10-amp unit delivers about 2.3kW, adding roughly 10 to 15km of range per hour — enough to replace an average day's driving overnight.
Does a new EV in Australia come with a portable charger?
Many do, so check your boot before buying. New Teslas sold in Australia no longer include one — the Mobile Connector is a separate purchase at around $350 to $400.
How much does a portable EV charger cost in Australia?
As of late 2026: budget adjustable 10A units start around $190, quality 15A units run roughly $300 to $800, and adjustable multi-tail chargers covering 10A/15A/32A outlets cost about $500 to $1,200.
Can a portable charger fully charge an EV overnight?
Not from empty. At 2.3kW, a 60kWh battery takes more than 24 hours for a full charge. But a 10-hour overnight session adds roughly 100 to 150km of range, which comfortably covers the average Australian car's ~35km a day.
Can I plug a 15A charger into a normal powerpoint?
No. A 15A plug's wider earth pin physically won't fit a 10A socket, by design. You need an electrician to install a dedicated 15A outlet (typically a few hundred dollars). 15A-to-10A adapters are not compliant in Australia — don't use them.
Are cheap portable EV chargers from Amazon safe?
Only buy units carrying the RCM compliance mark from established suppliers. The control box is genuine safety equipment that manages the session and cuts power on faults. Popular Amazon AU brands like dé sell compliant adjustable units at budget prices — just verify the compliance documentation arrives with the unit.
Should I buy a portable charger or a home wallbox?
Renting, not ready to install, or driving low kilometres? A portable charger is the right first step. Own your home and drive daily? A wallbox (roughly $800 to $1,500 installed) charges three or more times faster. Many owners end up with both. See our
Best EV Home Chargers Australia guide for the full comparison.
The Bottom Line
For Tesla owners, the Tesla Mobile Connector is the obvious pick — it's the factory accessory your boot no longer comes with. For road-trippers and caravan-park chargers, the EVSE Australia Mini Portable 15A with its 10-metre cable and local support is worth the money. On a budget, the dé 3.5kW adjustable is the best-value credible charger in Australia right now at $189.95, and an adjustable 32A unit is the grey-nomad special for powered sites.
Whatever you buy, make sure it carries the RCM mark, charge it on a healthy protected circuit, and skip the extension leads. Turn the whole Australian power grid into your backup charging network — that's the quiet genius of the humble granny charger.