RAA patrols train in recharging electric vehicles from roadside

In a sign of changing times, RAA patrols are using its first electric car to train patrols on how to fix and recharge other electric vehicles on the roadside.

RAA’s first electric vehicle is being used to train roadside assistance patrols for member call-outs as the number of EVs on SA roads increases.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona EV costs $66,716 drive-away, but RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace said there were savings in running costs such as fuel and servicing.

He said electric vehicles in SA were typically responsible for a third of the greenhouse gas emissions of an equivalent petrol vehicle, because of the higher proportion of renewable electricity in SA, and about a third of the cost to run.

The Kona has an average range of 484km with a 64kW/h battery, which is three or four times that size of typical household battery storage.

“You’re going to see this whole amalgam of house/car/solar/battery and selling power back to the grid,” he said.

“The federal government continues to do nothing. In my personal opinion, there’s been an absence of leadership in that whole environmental space for a very long time, ever since (Tony) Abbott, and so the states now are the leaders.”

RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace with RAA's first electric vehicle, a Hyundai Kona. Picture: Mark Brake.

The state government aims to make electric vehicles the common choice for new car-buyers by 2030 and the default choice by 2035.

Overseas, 14 countries have already proposed banning the sale of passenger vehicles powered by fossil fuels (petrol, gas and diesel) in the near future.

RAA is part of a national project with other motoring groups that is investigating systems that could be used to recharge EVs, on the roadside, if they run out of power. The idea is to give them a brief boost with just enough charge to get the EV to a charging station, like the old jerry can of petrol to get to the petrol station.

RAA Road Service Patrol mechanic Marc Casanova with RAA's first electric vehicle, a Hyundai Kona. Picture: Mark Brake

All patrols have learnt about the system and how it operates.

RAA Road Service Patrol mechanic Marc Casanova said he was excited to learn about electric vehicles as they will become increasingly common.

In the latest edition of SA Motor magazine, Mr Borlace and Samuel Smith put four EVs to the test.

Results of the RAA's test of electric cars. Picture: RAA