Kia UK Limited has extended its long-running roadside assistance partnership with the RAC, to the end of 2023.

Every new Kia sold – including the multi award-winning all-new Sportage and fully-electric EV6 – is covered by Kia Roadside Assistance, a fully comprehensive roadside service delivered by the RAC that gives drivers complete peace of mind, whether they are driving in the UK or elsewhere in Europe.

The contract also sees the RAC working closely with Kia’s 192-strong nationwide dealer network, sharing technical information and ensuring that drivers receive a fully joined-up service to the highest standards.

As market leaders in supporting OEMs in the switch to electric vehicles, the RAC is especially well positioned in supporting Kia, which will introduce 14 fully-electric models globally by 2027. By the end of 2022, a fifth of the RAC’s patrol van fleet will be fitted exclusively with award-winning EV Boost chargers, capable of giving an emergency charge to an out-of-charge or severely depleted electric car. The RAC is also upgrading its units to give an even faster roadside charge. And, in the rare event a vehicle needs to be taken to a garage – for instance following a double puncture – the RAC’s All-Wheels-Up rapid recovery system allows every Kia model to be safely towed, without drivers needing to wait for a tow truck.

Chris Lear, Aftersales Director at Kia UK Limited, commented: “As our customers move towards buying electric and hybrid vehicles, it’s hugely important that they get the right support at all times. It’s why we offer a seven-year warranty as standard and one year of Kia Roadside Assistance across our entire model line-up. We’re delighted to further extend our partnership with the RAC, which continues to adapt to the rapid pace of change with great innovations, such as the All-Wheels-Up recovery system.”

RAC business roadside managing director Phil Ryan said: “We are enormously proud of our work with Kia, a brand that is really going places in the UK and is arguably at the front of the pack when it comes to getting fully electric, zero-emission cars onto the roads. Kia’s ambition is matched by our own in wanting to ensure drivers can make the switch to electric with confidence, and the investments we’ve made in our own exclusive EV Boost and All-Wheels-Up technologies are specifically designed to do just that.

“Over the course of our long-running partnership we’ve constantly innovated to drive up standards to ensure Kia’s customers receive the very best standard of service at the roadside – indeed, the fact our patrols continue to fix the vast majority of breakdowns on the spot is testament to this. We’re also pleased to be able to fully support Kia as it introduces the multi-award winning all-electric EV6, as well as its all-new Sportage model that is available in petrol, diesel, mild-, full- and plug-in hybrid variants.

“Our teams within the RAC work seamlessly with Kia, so we’re excited to see where we can take our collaboration next.”

Kia Roadside Assistance, delivered by the RAC, is provided as standard for one year with all new Kia cars and is also available for drivers purchasing Kia Approved Used cars.