Lidl's €38 portable jump starter released as low‑battery anxiety gains attention

Lidl has begun selling the Ultimate Speed portable jump starter for €37.99. The 2‑in‑1 device acts as a classic car jump‑starter for gasoline engines up to 3.0 L and diesel engines up to 2.0 L, and also works with motorcycles and scooters. It includes a 12 V, 28.4 Wh power bank, 12,000 mAh internal battery, USB ports, LED light and can recharge small electronics.

Separate research highlights that many people experience pronounced anxiety when a mobile phone’s battery drops to about 20 %. Psychologists link the reaction to nomophobia – the fear of losing connectivity – which triggers a sympathetic response similar to that for other perceived threats. The anxiety is stronger in unfamiliar settings such as airports. Tech firms respond with adaptive power‑saving features and fast‑charging solutions, aiming to shorten the period of perceived vulnerability.