The RAC – which describes itself as the number-one for electric car breakdown cover – has joined forces with Zap-Map – the EV charge point mapping app – to help electric vehicle (EV) drivers who run out of charge.
The Zap-Map app will be distributed to the RAC’s 1,600 patrols enabling them to locate the nearest available charge point for RAC members to get their EV recharged and back on the road again as quickly as possible.
RAC patrols can already provide an emergency charge to flat or severely depleted electric cars with its RAC EV Boost technology. It can also move vehicles easily with the All-Wheels-Up rapid recovery system, which gives patrols flatbed towing capability from a standard breakdown van.
RAC head of technical James Gibson said: “By ensuring all our patrols have Zap-Map on their RAC devices, we’re giving members with EVs extra reassurance that we’re equipped on every level to get them going again, should they ever run out of charge or encounter a faulty charge point.
“While we have the technology to give them an emergency boost, it’s vital we know how far away the nearest suitable charger is so we can give our members enough mobile charge to get them there safely.
“We chose to partner with Zap-Map because it’s without doubt the best app for finding the nearest available public charge points for whichever vehicles our members might be driving. The level of information provided in the app is excellent and we urge every EV driver to download and use it, as it genuinely makes EV driving even simpler.”
In January, the RAC became the first major roadside assistance company to add a pure EV to its breakdown fleet by putting a Renault Zoe Van E-Tech into service. The patrol van will principally be used to attend the RAC’s two most common breakdowns – batteries and tyres, which together account for nearly half of all call-outs.
