London-based company, ChargedUp, is applying the bike-sharing model to mobile phone charging by developing a network of vending stations where, for a small fee, users can borrow portable battery banks. They can use them for as long as they need and then return them to a station of their choosing.

Users locate a station using the ChargedUp app and then scan the QR code to release a battery. Each battery can charge a phone twice over and comes with connector cables for both iPhone and Android.

The entire ChargedUp network runs on 100 per cent clean energy through a partnership with green electricity company, Ecotricity.

“Battery life has not managed to keep up with the demands we put on our smartphones, and running low part-way through the day is now a common, and very frustrating, occurrence,” said founder and CEO Hugo Tilmouth. “It was certainly driving us mad. Which is why we developed ChargedUp as an easy, cost-effective way to charge your phone on the go. From as little as 50p, you’ll always be fully charged.

“We also wanted to ensure that we had protecting the environment at the heart of the business, which is why all the batteries are charged using green energy from Ecotricity, whilst also utilising the sharing economy to reduce lithium battery consumption.”

ChargedUp’s battery rental stations are launching across more than 30 locations in London this month and aims to be in over 1000 venues in London by the end of 2018. It will expand beyond the capital in early 2019. The company is looking to work with major outlets such as Pret-A-Manger, TFL and Wetherspoons to ensure mobile phone users can borrow a battery on every high-street in the UK.

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