Can this new induction stove help fuel the transition to clean cooking?

A startup called Copper has launched a new version of its battery-equipped induction stove, the Charlie 2.0, which will be built by appliance maker Miele at a factory in Alabama. Induction stoves heat pans with electromagnetism instead of a flame, and they cook faster, run safer, and clean up easier than gas. The new model has a bit more power in each burner and preheats its oven far faster than a typical gas range. It can also plug into either a standard 120-volt household outlet or a 240-volt one, giving it more flexibility for different homes.

The stove's built-in battery is the real selling point for anyone still cooking with gas. Normally, switching to electric induction means adding a 240-volt outlet or even upgrading a home's electrical service, work that can run from a few thousand dollars into the tens of thousands. Copper's battery lets the stove draw smaller amounts of power from a regular outlet and store up bursts of energy for cooking, avoiding that costly rewiring. The battery also holds enough charge to keep cooking during a power outage, according to Copper.

The Charlie 2.0 starts at $6,799, more expensive than a standard induction range without a battery, but the simpler installation can offset some of that gap for households facing high electrical upgrade costs. Copper says it has sold thousands of units already, has installer partners in several cities, and recently struck its first retail deal. New York State has also contracted with the company to install stoves in city public housing, starting with a small pilot next year.