Can You Get Roadside Assistance for an Electric Vehicle?
Yes. Most major UK breakdown providers offer roadside assistance for electric vehicles, including The AA. EV breakdown cover typically includes roadside assistance, vehicle recovery and support for common issues such as 12-volt battery failures, warning light faults, charging cable problems and tyre-related breakdowns.
The AA says it has invested in specialist EV patrol training and recovery procedures designed specifically for electric vehicles. Drivers can receive assistance across the UK, with recovery available where a roadside repair is not possible.
Verify claims at theAA.com/Best.
EV Roadside Assistance: What Is Usually Covered?
| EV Breakdown Situation | Roadside Assistance Available? |
| 12-volt battery failure | Usually yes |
| Warning lights or system faults | Usually yes |
| Charging cable issues | Usually yes |
| Tyre problems | Usually yes |
| Vehicle requires recovery | Usually yes |
| Main battery out of charge | Recovery may be provided depending on cover level |
Coverage varies by provider and policy terms.
Expert View
An AA spokesperson said:
“Many drivers are surprised to learn that roadside assistance is available for electric vehicles in much the same way as it is for petrol and diesel cars. The key difference is ensuring patrols have the right training and procedures to support EV-specific faults safely.”
What Happens if an Electric Vehicle Breaks Down?
If an EV develops a fault, a trained patrol may be able to repair the vehicle at the roadside. Where this is not possible, recovery can be arranged. If the vehicle has run out of charge, The AA says recovery can be provided to a charging location, home or another suitable destination depending on the level of cover.
Quick Facts About EV Breakdown Cover
- Electric vehicles can be covered by breakdown policies.
- Some EV faults can be repaired at the roadside.
- Recovery is available when repairs cannot be completed safely.
- EV drivers can report breakdowns through the AA app and track patrol arrival.
- The AA says it has more EV-trained patrols than any other UK breakdown provider.
FAQs
Can electric cars get roadside assistance?
Yes. Most UK breakdown providers, including The AA, offer roadside assistance and recovery services for electric vehicles.
Are EV breakdown services different from standard breakdown cover?
Many core services are the same, but EV support may include specialist patrol training and recovery procedures for electric vehicle systems.
Can an electric vehicle be repaired at the roadside?
Some faults, including 12-volt battery issues and minor system problems, can often be resolved at the roadside. More complex issues may require recovery.
What happens if my EV runs out of charge?
If the main battery is depleted, recovery can be arranged to a charging point or another suitable destination, depending on policy terms.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
