Breakdown cover is one of those purchases that you make hoping you’ll never need it.
And for many that’s a hope that comes true. Modern cars are so reliable that most drivers travel thousands of miles without ever being left stranded at the roadside.
But is that true as more people move to electric cars? Are electric cars less reliable than petrol or diesel cars or hybrid vehicles? And does electric car breakdown cover include support if you run out of charge?
Let’s explore electric vehicle breakdown cover in more detail.
Are electric cars more likely to break down than petrol cars?
The quick answer to this is no, electric cars are not more likely to break down than petrol, diesel or hybrid cars.
In fact, electric cars have fewer things to go wrong in the first place. A regular internal combustion engine has over 2,000 individual components whereas an electric motor has less than 20 parts to get you from A to B.
And the electric car batteries? Well, they’re pretty reliable too. In fact, of the half a million Nissan LEAFs that have been sold since 2010, just three have experienced battery failure.
There’s more, too. A study by research teams from the University of Birmingham, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of California San Diego and University of Bern, revealed that electric vehicles have a lifespan of 18.4 years and up to 124,000 miles, matching the results of petrol and diesel cars.
That’s supported by breakdown cover data from Start Rescue that says electric cars are 59% less likely to require a call-out than internal combustion engine cars.
And when they do need a call-out? Well, the AA found that the most common reasons for an EV breakdown call-out were almost identical to petrol and diesels – that’s flat tyres, damaged wheels and a flat 12V battery.
Roadside assistance if an electric car runs out of charge
You might expect one of the most common reasons that an electric car needs breakdown assistance is because of a flat battery where drivers have run out of charge.
You’d be wrong. In fact, the number of electric vehicles running out of charge in 2024 accounted for less than 2% of all emergency phone calls to the AA. That’s down from 8% in 2015. The reason? A combination of longer-range electric vehicles on sale and the ever-growing nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, such as the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway.
If you are unlucky enough to be in the 2% having lost the game of electric charge roulette, then your electric vehicle cover will have your back.
The breakdown industry has adapted to the transition to hybrid and electric cars with pretty much all major breakdown companies offering either recovery to the nearest charging point, onward travel to your final destination or a mobile top-up charge to get you moving again.
Electric cars can’t be towed in the same way a petrol or diesel car can as they don’t have a neutral gear. That means all four wheels have to be lifted onto a flatbed truck for the recovery transport.
Best electric vehicle breakdown assistance
You’ll find EV breakdown cover offered by most UK providers as standard, with different levels ranging from basic cover to specialist breakdown cover to suit your driving habits, whether that’s personal or business.
For example, RAC breakdown cover makes use of special recovery vehicles that can lift all four wheels off the ground and tow your electric car, removing the need to wait for a flatbed recovery truck.
Other big breakdown cover companies include the AA, Green Flag and GEM Motoring Assist, all offering unique policies. Some have mobile electric chargers that can provide a small charging boost to get you to the nearest charging point. The AA even has a fleet of EV support vans and, pictured, an all-electric recovery truck.
Other popular EV breakdown cover policy features include home assistance, national recovery, European cover, hire cars or replacement vehicles, onward travel support and overnight accommodation.
Personal cover vs vehicle breakdown cover for electric cars
You have the choice of personal or vehicle specific cover when you buy a breakdown policy.
Personal cover means the named person will receive breakdown assistance regardless of the vehicle they are in (as driver or passenger), so long as it meets the policy conditions.
This is the most flexible type of breakdown cover and can be extended to cover other people living at the same address – perfect for families with multiple vehicles.
It’s more expensive than vehicle breakdown cover and if you only ever drive or travel in one vehicle, might be more than you required.
Vehicle breakdown cover, as the name suggests, is specific to a single electric vehicle – whether that’s an electric car, electric van or electric motorbike. Anyone insured to drive the vehicle is covered while they’re driving.
Vehicle breakdown cover is best for families with a shared car, plus it’s much cheaper than personal breakdown cover.
