Jaguar Land Rover South Africa (JLRSA) has partnered with the Automobile Association (AA) to train a group of line managers on electric vehicle-specific roadside assistance and vehicle recovery.

JLRSA’s training academy in Pretoria opened its doors to the AA to share its technical expertise on a range of electrified vehicles (EVs), and while the practical lessons involved Jaguar’s all-electric I-Pace, plug-in hybrid Range Rovers and mild-hybrid Land Rovers, most of the procedures taught are applicable to EV products from any manufacturer.

Of specific interest to the group of managers was the procedure of jump-starting a fully electric vehicle. 

In an instance where an EV’s small 12 V battery (similar to that in any car) runs flat owing to prolonged standstill, it’s possible to boost this small battery in order for the more powerful high-voltage battery to begin recharging the low-voltage system, explains the AA.

“The 12 V battery in an EV is responsible for simple features such as infotainment, power windows and electrically-assisted steering, but it’s also needed to ‘start’ the car – just like with any internal combustion vehicle.

“The group was put through a practical test of safely entering and jump-starting an unresponsive vehicle which relies on electricity to unlock the doors, release the bonnet latches and disable the security systems.”

Instructions were also provided on how to manually override drive selectors and electronic handbrakes in order to pull an EV onto a flatbed tow truck in neutral.

Though procedures for changing flat tyres is much the same as with any vehicle. It is, however, necessary to look at safe lifting points, considering the fact that many EV high-voltage batteries are located low in the floor, where jacks could potentially damage them.

General information on the importance of colour-labelling, such as bright orange high-voltage cables and any components tagged with yellow warnings was relayed, along with basic lessons in recharging procedures. 

These included tips on the various messages a vehicle sends via coloured lights near its charging port, the differences between AC and DC cables, and the fact that EVs should never be charged with extension cords or multi-adapters. 

“As the South African car parc rapidly evolves, and more electrified vehicle offerings from various manufacturers come to the fore, it’s vital that all industry stakeholders are kept up to speed with the changing environment,” says JLRSA MD Richard Gouverneur.

“EVs are the future of mobility and it’s critical for the AA to stay on the cutting-edge of this technology to service the needs of all our customers,” adds AA CEO Willem Groenewald.