There are many similar elements of breakdown cover for all vehicles, such as punctures and drained batteries, though EVs can also have unique problems that require specialist assistance. Think charging cable or battery problems, for example.
Thankfully, most of the major breakdown providers in the UK offer roadside assistance for EVs in their standard policies. Providers such as The AA and RAC have invested in EV patrol training to ensure drivers receive support from technicians with an understanding of EVs.
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | It’s cheaper to pay annually rather than monthly. But you also need to see what you’re paying for. You might opt for a cheaper plan with less included. |
| Roadside repair capability | A higher roadside repair rate can give you the confidence that once a patrol arrives you should be able to get the support you need. The AA and RAC both fix 4/5 cars at the roadside*. |
| EV-trained patrols and technical expertise | Although many EVs break down for the same reasons as other cars, sometimes it can be a problem specific to an EV. When that happens, you’ll want the right support for your car. The AA operates the largest network trained in EV systems, with over 2,500 patrols**. |
| Vehicle recovery | If your vehicle can’t be repaired then you want to choose a provider that makes the next stop as smooth as possible so you can get the support you need. |
| Support if the main battery runs out of charge | This could be a patrol giving you enough charge to get you to a charging point or towing you there so you can charge the battery yourself. |
| Home assistance | This is for when your vehicle breaks down at home or very near to it. The cheapest policies won’t include this as standard. You’re less likely to be stranded if your car breaks down at home, but it could mean you need to change plans. |
| Onward travel | If your vehicle can’t be fixed at the roadside, having onward travel cover means you’ll be offered a way to continue your journey. This is normally an add-on to basic policies and what you’re offered will depend on your policy. It’s likely to be reimbursement for public transport costs, a hotel stay or a hire car. |
| Breakdown reporting and live tracking | You can report a breakdown in the provider’s app and then track the driver until they arrive. This can give you peace of mind while you wait knowing support is on the way. |
When an EV breaks down, you need to try to park it somewhere safe. Then you should contact your provider, which will dispatch a patrol with EV training. The patrol will diagnose the issue and either attempt to repair it at the roadside or arrange for it to be recovered to a suitable location.
The most common issues for EVs include battery depletion, charging failure, software or system errors, electrical faults that prevent the vehicle from operating and issues with tyres or brakes.
There’s a common misconception that people might get stranded on the side of the road because their car has run out of battery, but it actually only accounts for a small percentage of EV breakdowns.
The 3 largest breakdown providers in the UK (The AA, RAC and Green Flag) all offer roadside assistance for EVs but have their own approaches. The best provider for you will depend on your circumstances. When a patrol arrives, the technician will seek to work out what the problem is and decide if it can be fixed at the roadside.
EVs don’t always require towing when they break down, but it really depends on the issue. For example, issues with 12-volt batteries, tyres and some warning lights may be assessed and repaired at the roadside. The AA has a roadside repair rate of around 80% for all vehicles, which obviously includes EVs. Other providers have similar rates, which should give you some encouragement that roadside assistance will allow you to continue your journey as soon as possible.
If your car isn’t able to be fixed at the roadside then it’ll be taken to a garage. The garage it gets taken to will depend on your level of cover.
The same applies to where you’ll be taken next, with some levels of cover offering you a hire car, transport tickets or accommodation so you can continue your journey while your car will be fixed at a garage.
How you define good value for an electric vehicle will vary based on your own preferences and circumstances. That said, there are a number of factors you could use to determine value.
A cheaper policy might sound good, but when you need roadside assistance, it could end up costing you more in money and time. The level of cover you have helps to determine the price of a policy, so make sure you choose the appropriate level of cover for your driving needs.
If you only ever drive locally, then you might only need roadside assistance and home support. However, if you drive long distances or are frequently on motorways then national recovery and onward travel are likely to suit you better.
Try not to think of value as how much a policy costs, but rather how much it’ll cost you if you break down without the right level of cover for your needs.
EV drivers and especially ones who are new to EVs might feel more comfortable with a breakdown provider that has good support for electric vehicle drivers, such as The AA with the largest fleet in the UK.
The AA offers comprehensive coverage with more than 2,500 patrols trained in EV systems. These patrols provide specialised roadside, home and national recovery services. It has an innovative Freewheeling Hub which lets AA patrols safely tow vehicles, such as electric vehicles and SUVs, which normally cannot be lifted and towed. It was the winner of Finder’s 2026 Breakdown Cover Customer Satisfaction Awards, where 92% of AA customers that we surveyed in 2026 said they would recommend it.
We rated the AA as our top breakdown provider for electric vehicle cover with a score of 9.5/10.
RAC patrols are able to safely recover EVs without needing a dedicated flatbed truck but utilising its All-Wheels-Up lifting technology that comes as standard on patrol vans. This is useful when an electric vehicle is out of battery and can’t be moved. In our 2026 survey, 88% of RAC customers said they would recommend the brand.
Green Flag is often the cheapest of these 3 providers. But that lower price means not all patrols are the same. It uses a hybrid approach, with some of its own patrols and a network of independent patrols. Some patrols will come with similar towing capabilities as the ones above tailored towards EVs, but others will just be standard flatbed tow trucks. 91% of Green Flag customers we surveyed in 2026 told us they would recommend it.
If you’ve got a new EV, there are some questions you should be asking of a prospective breakdown provider before you take out a policy. This should include if your type of vehicle is covered as standard, the level of EV support available, if there are any restrictions relevant to your electric vehicle and what might happen if your battery reaches 0%.
This table below is handy for what you can ask and why it’s important:
| EV feature | Why it matters | Question to ask about the policy |
|---|---|---|
| EV-trained support | EV systems require appropriate technical knowledge and safe handling. Choose a provider like The AA here, where 98% of its patrol force are Level 2 Electric Vehicle trained. | Does the provider specify if it has EV-trained patrol or technician capability? |
| Roadside repair | Not every EV fault requires recovery. For example, The AA fixes around 80% of callouts at the roadside*. | Which common faults can be assessed or repaired roadside? |
| Out-of-charge assistance | Running out of battery charge is an EV-specific scenario. Providers will have a different approach here, with some giving you enough charge to get to a charging point and others towing you to a charging point. | Is assistance included and where will the car be taken? |
| Vehicle recovery | Some faults can’t be resolved roadside. It’s important that an EV-qualified technician can diagnose that when they arrive. | What recovery distance/destination is included? |
| Onward travel | An electric vehicle breakdown can interrupt and cause severe delays when on a long journey. | What transport, hire car or accommodation support is available? |
| Digital support | EV drivers may want clear status updates while waiting for assistance to arrive. | Can breakdowns be reported and patrol progress tracked in an app? |
Most EV breakdown policies will have similar inclusions, but different approaches to certain problems. It’s important to understand what cover you need and what cover is included in a policy.
You should look at which providers offer the most comprehensive support for EV drivers and determine if that support will be available where you live. Don’t just make a decision based on price without understanding what your cover will include.
Most EV breakdown policies share the same core structure: roadside assistance and recovery, with optional extras such as home assistance or onward travel. Where providers differ is in how well they handle EV-specific problems, such as faults with high-voltage systems or a flat battery.
The best-value policy is the one that covers the help you're most likely to need. Compare like-for-like cover and look past the price at roadside repair capability, EV expertise, recovery limits and optional extras. A cheaper policy may limit how far you can be recovered or offer less onward-travel support, while broader cover can be worth it if you regularly drive long distances.
Major breakdown providers generally support hybrids as well as battery-electric vehicles, subject to vehicle and policy eligibility. Drivers should check the current terms for their specific hybrid type and ensure the provider can safely assess both conventional and electrified systems.
The AA, RAC and Green Flag are the largest UK providers offering EV breakdown assistance. Rather than relying on a single rating, compare EV-trained support, roadside repair, out-of-charge assistance, recovery, home assistance, onward travel and price.
In Finder’s 2026 Customer Satisfaction Awards, The AA was recommended by 92% of its customers, for reliable and fast breakdown assistance as well as reasonable pricing. This compares with 91% of Green Flag customers and 88% of RAC customers.
**AA Annual Report & Accounts 2026 (c.2,700 patrols) and RAC Group (holdings) Limited Annual Report & Financial Statements 2025 (1,700 patrols). For more detail on the comparator set and Green flag, see theAA.com/Best
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