Flat EVs have previously been towed to the nearest charging site or the owner’s home, but the new emergency EV charging service will allow stranded EV drivers to get to their nearest charging location if they run out of power.

RAA Chief Executive Officer Nick Reade said the emergency charging service would alleviate the main concern around driving EVs.

“We know thousands of South Australians are thinking of making the switch to an EV and one of the main barriers is how and where they will charge,” he said.

“We’re well on the road to solving this problem – both through this new mobile charging service and the statewide EV charging network, RAA Charge, which is set to be complete in 2024.

“From this week, South Australian EV drivers will have the confidence that if they do run out of charge on the road, we’ll be there to rescue them with our emergency mobile charging device.”

The mobile charging technology will operate out of a dedicated patrol van based at RAA’s Mile End site, and will be dispatched to any member in the metro area.

Latest sales data shows electric vehicle sales in South Australia are more than doubling year on year – 6.8 per cent of new cars purchased in 2023 were EVs, up from just 2.7 per cent in 2022, with almost 4000 EVs sold in SA last year.

According to the RAA, there are an estimated 7000 electric vehicles on the road in South Australia.

The RAA has also leased an electric patrol van that will begin trials this week.

“Electric vehicles are the future of motoring, and we’re excited to be trialling the new Peugeot E-Partner van over the next six months,” Reade said.

Scott Gillespie, CEO and founder of Perth-based CarBon Leasing & Rentals which is providing the van, said the electric van would enhance RAA’s efficiency and reduce the company’s environmental impact.

“We’re pleased to join forces with RAA as they kick off their EV transition and break new ground for zero emissions vehicles in their fleet,” Gillespie said.