The RAC has joined forces with Zap-Map to further support electric vehicle drivers who run out of charge.

The Zap-Map charge point mapping app will now be distributed to the RAC’s 1,600 patrols across all devices – phones, laptops and in-van terminals

The RAC can already help members with EVs thanks to its EV Boost technology, which means patrols can provide an emergency charge to flat or severely depleted electric cars.

Building on this, the Zap-Map charge point mapping app will now be distributed to the RAC’s 1,600 patrols across all devices – phones, laptops and in-van terminals. Once members’ EVs have been given an emergency boost, the patrols will then be able to advise on where they can get them fully EV recharged to continue their onward journey.

RAC head of technical James Gibson said: “By ensuring all our patrols have Zap-Map on their RAC devices, we’re giving members with EVs extra reassurance that we’re equipped on every level to get them going again, should they ever run out of charge or encounter a faulty charge point.

“While we have the technology to give them an emergency boost, it’s vital we know how far away the nearest suitable charger is so we can give our members enough mobile charge to get them there safely.”

He added: “We chose to partner with Zap-Map because it’s without doubt the best app for finding the nearest available public charge points for whichever vehicles our members might be driving. The level of information provided in the app is excellent and we urge every EV driver to download and use it, as it genuinely makes EV driving even simpler.”

The partnership will also benefit the Zap-Map app, and other EV drivers, as patrols will provide feedback on anything they discover about out-of-order or faulty charge points. This will then ensure Zap-Map users have access to extra accurate information to search, plan and pay for their electric journeys.

It’s the latest collaboration between the RAC and Zap-Map, which last year published a joint report on EV charging provision at supermarkets. This found that the number of chargers at supermarkets had grown by 85% over a 21-month period, with Tesco and Morrisons leading the way.

The RAC has also added a zero-emission Renault Zoe Van E-Tech to its patrol van service – believed to mark the first move into EVs by a major breakdown company – while it’s working with Novuna Vehicle Solutions (previously Hitachi Capital) to offer affordable leases on some of the most popular EV models and with British Gas on the installation of specialist home chargers and EV electricity tariffs.