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sbwithersaa

I'm aware that some AA partner organisations internationally offer a mobile 'battery charging' service to electric car owners who find themselves short of power to get them to their destination. This usually involves connecting a battery or generator to the car for 15-30 minutes to give it enough power to make it to the next charging station. The alternative is a flat-bed tow. Most electric car makers advise against any other sort of towing because it may damage the engine or drive train and also places the battery pack at risk of being damaged.

So my questions is: does my AA roadside assistance include help obtaining either a small top-up of power or a call to a local towing company for a flatbed tow to the nearest charging station?

I'm normally very careful to stay within the limits of my range (about 160km / charge), but a detour or wet road or strong headwind could mean a marginal trip becomes impossible....on the day.

An electric car generally is extremely reliable as it doesn't have most of the bits that break in a normal car: No fan or fan belt, no radiator, no oil or oil filter or air filter or alternator or alternator belt or cam belt...and no spark plugs, pistons or head gasket to blow. None of any of that. It either goes or it doesn't. But running out of power.....well....that can happen if one isn't paying attention.

Thanks.

Anon

Hi there,
Road service are currently in the process of looking into the methods of supplying quick emergency charging for EV assistance. But currently can only offer a tow home or to a charging station.
But it will be available at some stage soon hopefully.

sbwithersaa

Thank you very much. It's good to know I can call for help in the event I miscalculate. :-)

As battery packs get larger, the need for help will decline.

emily.tosio

Now 2.5 years later can you update us on what is available for electric vehicles that run out of power?

Anon

Hi there,
Currently it's still the same tow to the nearest place of repair service. The Road service are yet to reveal how and when they will be able to supply a mobile charge service. Naturally as time and tech advances, the units are getting smaller, more powerful and cheaper to manufacture which all makes up factors in the decision and vehicle fit out process.

juncap

Check this out AA.
https://evtalk.co.nz/portable-ev-charger-launched/

emily.tosio

2 more years later and significantly more EVs on the road in New Zealand, can AA give us any update on EV road side assistance options?

Anon

Hi Emily,
There is some information here: https://www.aa.co.nz/about/newsroom/media-releases/environmental/aas-first-ev-charging-breakdown-van-celebrates-1st-birthday/