How can mobile phone charging stations create stable passive income for investors?

November 17, 2025

The frequent use of mobile phones in public places like transportation hubs and other communal areas has made battery anxiety a universal global problem. This high-frequency, essential market demand has driven the development of the mobile charging station business into a lucrative global venture. Shared power banks (power bank rental) offer people an immediate and convenient mobile charging solution in shopping malls, restaurants, and transportation hubs. Through various revenue models like rental fees, advertising, and value-added services, this business generates returns for investors. The unique business model and operational advantages of the shared power bank business create a source of sustainable passive income for investors.

Verified Market Reports analyzes that the shared power bank rental service market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to accelerate its growth, reaching $5.2 billion by 2033, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.2% from 2026 to 2033.

In many overseas countries and regions, the coverage and convenience of public charging infrastructure are relatively low, making it difficult for people to find available charging outlets. Factors such as urbanization and the thriving tourism industry have led to a surge in public area charging demand. Shared power banks can satisfy users' immediate charging needs in mobile scenarios.

1. How does power bank rental generate sustainable income for investors?

Meltwater data from 2025 shows that the global 5.64 billion smartphone users spend over 33 hours online per week. People heavily rely on their phones for life, work, and entertainment, and the limitations of battery life technology struggle to meet the continuously growing usage demands. People’s high-frequency need for mobile charging provides broad development prospects for the shared power bank market.

High-Traffic Scenarios + Essential Demand Create Sustained Revenue: Shared power banks are typically placed in high-traffic locations such as shopping malls, transportation hubs, and restaurants. Users can quickly rent them through self-service. Shared power banks immediately satisfy users' charging needs with convenient self-service rental. High-frequency rental demand continuously generates orders, providing investors with a steady stream of cash flow.

Multiple Income Streams Enhance Return on Investment (ROI): Shared power banks achieve profitability through various channels, including rental income, advertising revenue, deposit income, value-added services, and product sales. Rental income, charged based on usage duration, provides cash flow for the business. By leveraging the equipment and software interface, a precise, scenario-based advertising display network is created, earning advertising revenue for investors.

Revenue is also boosted through value-added features like membership programs and local lifestyle services. User rental deposits can generate short-term financial returns during the settlement period, enhancing cash flow flexibility. Selling accessories like data cables broadens supplementary income sources.

The multi-faceted revenue model—rental + advertising + services—mitigates the risk of relying on a single source, strengthening the shared power bank business's stable profitability. As the number of deployment points and user frequency increase, the average operating cost per device is continuously diluted, leading to simultaneous growth in operational efficiency and ROI.

2. Why choose the mobile charging station business?

Essential Demand, Broad Market Prospects: Global smartphone penetration is high and continually growing. Ericsson projects that the number of global smartphone users will reach approximately 8.064 billion by 2029. The global shared power bank market is rapidly developing due to the widespread adoption of smartphones and the increased user dependency on mobile devices. Deeper phone reliance and battery technology bottlenecks mean emergency charging is a lasting, essential need. Shared power banks cover public consumption scenarios like dining, entertainment, and transportation hubs, providing users with a "(anytime, anywhere" mobile charging solution.

Diverse Profit Models, Continuous Cash Flow: The shared power bank business's multiple profit models—rental, advertising, and value-added services—provide an advantage for long-term development. High-frequency rentals generate continuous cash flow for investors. Advertising and value-added services expand the profit margin. The diverse profit models of shared power banks enhance business profitability, helping investors achieve scale expansion faster.

3. How to quickly start a phone charging locker business?

Independent research and development require a minimum investment of millions, so investors typically choose to partner with shared power bank factories to customize software, hardware, and payment channel solutions. Factories can provide personalized customization based on the investor's business needs, aligning with user and market requirements, helping investors quickly launch their shared power bank business.

Issues such as slow charging speed, frequent equipment failures, or incompatible interfaces severely impact user experience. Regarding equipment quality and safety, investors need to thoroughly assess the qualifications and capabilities of the shared power bank factory to ensure the long-term operation of their business.

Check qualifications to see if the factory has international certifications like ISO9001, CE/UL.Assess their independent R&D capability, the speed and frequency of new product development, and whether the production scale can ensure stable supply and meet market demand.

Investors looking to efficiently start a shared power bank business can choose to cooperate with professional factories that offer an "integrated hardware + software + payment" solution. The factory provides a comprehensive manufacturing and service system, from solution design, R&D, and production, to software development, cabinet structure design, assembly, product inspection, and after-sales service. The shared power bank factory will assist investors in rapidly promoting the business and achieving profitability goals sooner.

Summary

The widespread coverage of 5G networks and the increasing richness of mobile applications have led to a constantly rising dependence on, and usage time of, smartphones. Whether traveling, socializing, entertaining, or working, the need for users to be able to quickly charge at any time is urgent. The massive user base and high-frequency market demand are driving the sustained growth of the power bank rental market size.

Commercial profitability is achieved through multiple channels, including high-frequency rental fees, scenario-based advertising, and membership value-added services. The overseas phone charging locker market space is vast, with significant profit potential. Investors can cooperate with factories that have international certifications to quickly deploy the shared power bank business, mitigate quality and partnership risks, and seize market opportunities with low R&D investment.