The electric car revolution has received a major boost with the news that one of the UK’s biggest roadside assistance companies is now able to rescue cars that have run out of battery power.

The RAC has developed its own EV Boost system, which features a mobile charger which will give stranded a cars a ‘refill’ of battery power. The EV Boost is the UK’s first lightweight mobile EV charger and in in initial trials will be added to custom-made patrol vans in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The bespoke solution will then be rolled out across the network, with a focus on areas with high demand for the solution.

The EV Boost can supply power to both Type 1 and Type 2 connections which ensures that 99% of electric vehicles in use today will be able to call upon its assistance.

RAC head of roadside rescue innovation Chris Millward said: “Our solution enables our patrols to help stranded EV drivers at the roadside with a power boost, equivalent to a top-up from a fuel can for a petrol or diesel car, to get them on their way again.

“With nothing like it on the market the real challenge was to develop a mobile EV-charger system which is compact and light enough to fit into our normal patrol vehicles without compromising on space so we can still carry all the normal parts and tools to help our patrols continue to fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside.

“Other solutions that are available require valuable van space to be taken up by heavy portable chargers that negatively affect fuel economy and also need to be recharged after use. Our on-demand solution means that the power is always available when needed.

“The number of electric vehicles on the road will grow rapidly in the next few years, in particular we are seeing increased interest and take-up from business and fleet managers, so it is critical that we have an effective mobile power source for these cars in an emergency giving EV-owners complete peace of mind. The new mobile RAC EV Boost charger has also been well received by our manufacturer partners.

“We also expect it will help address the anxiety some potential EV buyers have about the current charging infrastructure and vehicle range. The RAC is constantly looking to evolve and invest in technology to meet the changing needs of drivers and their modern vehicles, and this EV-charger fits perfectly with this strategy.”

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