CES often highlights the diverging strategies within the portable power sector, and 2026 is no exception. Amid all the different priorities, BLUETTI seems to have gotten the memo. Instead of just stacking more LFP cells into a box, they’ve unveiled the CES 2026 lineup that tackles the two most annoying parts of the off-grid life: waiting hours for a 12V car charge and the guilt of buying more plastic-heavy gear.
The “12V Bottleneck” is Finally Dead: Charger 2
If you’ve ever tried to top off a 1Wh or 2kWh portable power station from a standard car cigarette lighter, you know it’s a multi-day exercise in frustration. BLUETTI’s new Charger 2 looks like the fix we’ve been waiting for.
Left: BLUETTI Charger 2 simultaneously uses the vehicle’s alternator and solar panels to achieve up to 13x faster on-the-go charging; Right: a comparison of Charger 2 and the previous Charger 1 specifications.
Rather than a simple adapter, this is a 1,200W Smart Energy Hub. It pulls from your alternator and solar panels simultaneously, pushing speeds up to 13 times faster than the old-school methods.
How Charger 2 Solves Problems:
Simplified RV Integration: The Charger 2 functions as an all-in-one bridge for dual-battery vehicle systems, consolidating the starter battery, solar input, and auxiliary expansion packs into a single hub. It effectively lowers the barrier to entry for mobile power compared to BLUETTI’s more complex RVSolar setups from last year, offering a streamlined, cost-effective path for basic van builds and weekend overlanders.
Universal Compatibility: In a rare win for the “Right to Repair” spirit, it works with 95% of third-party portable power stations. You’re not locked into a single brand or the BLUETTI ecosystem—saving both money and time.
Streamlined Installation & Upgrades: The Charger 2 is built for a straightforward setup, removing the need for professional electrical work. For the existing Charger 1 owners, it serves as a “drop-in” upgrade requiring zero re-cabling. To smooth the transition, BLUETTI has also launched the Charger 2 upgrade program for those owners.
Bi-Directional Utility: Beyond standard charging, the unit features a bi-directional mode capable of jump-starting a vehicle’s starter battery—a solid contingency for off-grid travelers. For long-term maintenance, it also includes 100W trickle and pulse modes designed for battery recovery or keeping a vehicle healthy during seasonal storage.
Simplified RV Integration: The Charger 2 functions as an all-in-one bridge for dual-battery vehicle systems, consolidating the starter battery, solar input, and auxiliary expansion packs into a single hub. It effectively lowers the barrier to entry for mobile power compared to BLUETTI’s more complex RVSolar setups from last year, offering a streamlined, cost-effective path for basic van builds and weekend overlanders.
Left: The BLUETTI Charger 2 Smart Energy Hub provides a simplified plug-and-play RV energy solution ; Right: Interface overview showing Charger 2 ports
Electrek’s Take: This is basically a professional-grade DC-DC ecosystem disguised as a consumer plug-and-play product. For anybody living the #VanLife, this is probably the most practical piece of kit at the show.
The Charger 2 alternator and solar charger debuts at $349 (MSRP $599) through Feb 7.
- Loyalty Deal: Existing Charger 1 owners can upgrade for $99 in the first 72 hours.
- Extra Credit: Use code ELECTREK5OFF at checkout for an additional 5% off.
Sustainability That Isn’t Just “Greenwashing”: Elite 100 V2
We often call out the industry for the massive carbon footprint of these “green” gadgets. BLUETTI’s partnership with Covestro (former Bayer MaterialScience) has resulted in the new Bio-based Elite 100 V2, which replaces fossil-fuel-based plastics with ISCC PLUS-certified bio-circular materials.
The sustainable journey of the new bio-based Elite 100 V2 portable power station
By using agricultural waste for the chassis, they’ve cut production CO2 by 25%. Crucially, it doesn’t feel like a compromise; it still hits the UL94 V-0 flame retardancy standards. It’s a solid step toward a circular economy that doesn’t sacrifice ruggedness.
The Bio-based Elite 100 V2 portable power station debuts at $409 (MSRP $809) until Jan 23. The ELECTREK5OFF 5% discount code is also available for it.
The “Space-Savers”: Elite 300 & Elite 320
If you’re tight on space in a Tesla or a micro-camper, the Elite 300 is worth a look. It manages to pack 3kWh of capacity into a 2kWh unit frame, which is 19% smaller than typical counterparts. It’s high-density storage that doesn’t hog the trunk.
BLUETTI’s latest Elite Series portable power stations at CES 2026. From left to right: Elite 300, Elite 320, and Elite 400.
For the home backup crowd, the Elite 320 variant adds a “suitcase” style wheeled chassis, making it much easier to move that 3.2kWh of power from the garage to the kitchen during a blackout. Both models are currently slated for a Q1 launch, with pricing to be announced.
Quick Hits: Sodium-Ion and Smart Home Nerds
Home Assistant Support: BLUETTI’s FridgePower (the ultra-slim 2kWh unit especially for refrigerators) now officially supports Home Assistant. For those of us running local-only smart homes, this is a huge win for personalized energy management.
Pioneer Na (Sodium-ion portable power station): Lithium-ion hates the cold. This Sodium-ion unit can charge at -15°C and output power down to -25°C. It’s the ultimate “peace of mind” for winter storm preparedness.
Apex 300 home battery backup: Their latest $5.6M crowdfunding hit is here in the flesh. With a super-low 20W idle draw, it’s one of the most efficient home battery backup systems we’ve seen in this class.
At CES 2026, Covestro’s Eric Saks and BLUETTI’s Illia Zahnitko with the bio-based Elite 100 V2, a solution designed to cut carbon emissions by 25%.
It’s refreshing to see a brand move beyond ‘green’ marketing into tangible material science. BLUETTI’s 2025 Social Impact Report, released today on the show floor, highlights a shift toward greater corporate transparency. Even more notably, their ‘Clean Energy For All‘ panel—featuring experts from Texas Instruments, Covestro, and pv magazine—addresses the real-world challenges of sustainable sourcing. Initiatives like these demonstrate the kind of deep industry collaboration that could shape the sector’s future.
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