RAC launches new warranty especially for used electric and hybrid cars

The RAC Electric Vehicle warranty will be supplied exclusively through the 1,300-strong RAC Dealer Network and can be applied to any used electric or hybrid car up to a maximum of eight years old and with 80,000 miles on the clock at the time of purchase.

Cover is available for a variety of periods up to 24 months and claims can be made up to a limit of the vehicle purchase price. It has been created in co-operation with the RAC’s warranty partner, Assurant.

RAC director of electric vehicles Sarah Winward-Kotecha said: “Electric cars – from plug-ins through to conventional hybrids – are starting to appear on the used market in greater numbers, something that will gather huge momentum in the coming years.

"This new warranty, which provides the most comprehensive level of warranty cover that the RAC has yet offered on any vehicle, delivers peace of mind to electric car buyers, especially the vast majority who will be moving away from petrol or diesel power for the first time.

“Indeed, we’re confident it could play a key part in helping to build widespread consumer confidence in electric cars and hybrids as an attractive and reliable choice right across the used car market.

“Given the profile of the likely buyer and the age of the vehicles, we are expecting dealers to typically offer six or 12 months of cover using this warranty when a consumer buys a car and then give them the option of an upgrade to the full 24-month maximum.”

The warranty covers the key components in the electric drivetrain and charge system with the exception of the batteries, which are generally already covered by long manufacturer warranties.

It also provides cover for a wide range of components included in the RAC’s existing Platinum Plus product for petrol and diesel cars, currently its highest level of cover.

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Sarah continued: “While the battery is clearly an area of concern for car buyers, EV and hybrid manufacturers, almost uniformly, include comprehensive battery warranties, typically eight years and 100,000 miles, so our product is designed around this existing cover.”

The launch of the new Electric Vehicle warranty complements the market-leading breakdown services the RAC already offers drivers of electric vehicles. This includes being the first UK breakdown company to fit lightweight, mobile electric vehicle charger systems to its patrol vans, capable of giving stranded out-of-charge vehicles enough power to get to a nearby chargepoint.

In addition, the RAC’s All-Wheels-Up technology also means it is possible for most hybrid and electric vehicles to be recovered by a standard patrol van, removing the need to call out an additional recovery vehicle. For more details, visit www.rac.co.uk/innovation.