Recharge Rescue has expanded its roadside charging insurance for EVs, further broadening its appeal to drivers and fleets wanting backup cover for out-of-charge situations.

Latest updates enhance the Recharge Rescue service further

Developed by Vehicle Help Limited, the emergency roadside assistance policy launched a year ago to tackle the key issue of range anxiety.

It’s provided through recently authorised intermediary Recharge Rescue as an insured product that sits alongside any existing breakdown insurance. The policy is available for fleets and drivers to buy direct or through a fast-growing network of partners, including motor dealers, leasing companies and insurance brokers.

The service provides peace of mind for EV drivers. If the insured driver runs out of charge mid-journey, or arrives at a public charging point to find it’s not working, they can call an emergency number and a van, featuring a 7.2kW EV “fast charging” unit, is sent out to recharge their vehicle.

Latest updates enhance the service further, increasing the number of claims available through the service from one to two per annum.

Recharge Rescue has also launched a new policy derivative, providing the same level of cover, for ‘hire and reward’ customers. This means that businesses such as couriers and taxi fleets, which are also increasingly looking to go electric, can benefit from the service too.

Bruce Compton, managing director AFF Holdings, explained: “In our continuous efforts to increase the practical benefits of holding a Recharge Rescue insurance policy, we are increasing the number of claims from one to two per annum; this is being introduced during Q1 of 2023.

“We are also pleased to announce the introduction of a new derivative of Recharge Rescue specifically designed for hire and reward users, such as taxi and courier businesses. Both initiatives have been designed to increase the spectrum of users who can enjoy the peace of mind of having 24/7 mobile EV charging at their fingertips.”

Since its launch in spring 2022, Recharge Rescue has rapidly garnered interest. It’s available on a B2B basis through fleet management firms, including Fleetmaxx Solutions, while ZoomEV has added it to its Benefits Bundle for EV drivers.

Vehicle Help Limited is also working with leasing companies such as DreamLease and Your E-Car, which are augmenting their services with the solution.

Other latest deals include an agreement with AMS Insurance Services, which specialises in GAP car insurance and is introducing Recharge Rescue with their dealer group customers.

Compton added that Recharge Rescue is proving its merits to drivers too. Customers who’ve had to turn to its services include a Tesla driver, who’d gone on holiday and left the vehicle’s Sentry Mode enabled for two weeks in a busy Heathrow car park and returned to find the vehicle out of charge.

And at the time of Fleet World’s interview with Compton, another Tesla driver had found himself stranded on Park Lane with a coned off, out-of-charge vehicle, and also turned to his Recharge Rescue policy for help. The company has also seen increased usage of its services in the colder weather.

Rapidly increasing EV registrations are also expected to drive interest in the solution.

Fully electric cars accounted for 16.6% of new car registrations in 2022, according to SMMT data while plug-in cars, including PHEVs, are expected to make up more than one in four new registrations this year and almost a third (31.0%) of the market in 2024.

Compton added: “As the EV market grows, not just the number, but the cross section of drivers increases. While the charging infrastructure continues to lag behind adoption, Recharge Rescue offers a great safety net, especially for drivers new to EVs.”