Kindly note that this is "general information” only and that clients should consult their dealership to obtain the exact procedure regarding their specific vehicle. 

Question:
How would United Assist be able to accommodate a client who has an electric car?
Maybe they parked it in the garage, plugged it in to charge overnight but the electricity went off so it didn’t charge and the client can’t get to work?

United Assist response :

An electric vehicle can be jump started, there are two options:

• The SP can go out with a mobile charging unit with a power source (generator etc), they will then connect the charge to the vehicle and charge for roughly 20 to 30 minutes and the client can then start the vehicle.
• The second option is to jump start the vehicle via its auxiliary battery. All EV’s have two batteries. The auxiliary battery is used to power the lights, computers and locks and initiates the main battery when turning the car on.

Jump starting an electric vehicle

• Jump-starting an electric vehicle (EV) involves using a portable jump pack or a traditional gas car to boost the 12-volt auxiliary battery, not the high-voltage drivetrain battery. Ensure the EV is powered down, locate the 12-volt battery (often under the hood or bonnet), and connect cables positive-to-positive and negative to a grounding point. 
  

Steps to Jump-Start an EV

• Locate the 12V Battery: Consult your manual to find the 12-volt battery; it may be under a plastic cover.
• Position Vehicles: Park the donor vehicle close enough for cables to reach, but ensure the cars do not touch.
• Connect Positive Cables: Connect the red cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead EV battery, then the other red end to the donor vehicle's positive terminal.
• Connect Negative Cables: Connect the black cable to the negative (-) terminal of the donor battery. Connect the other black end to an unpainted metal surface on the EV, such as a bolt or bracket.
• Jump-Start: Start the donor car. Wait a few minutes, then start the EV (usually by pressing the start button while pressing the brake).
• Remove Cables: Reverse the connection order to remove cables.

Important Precautions

• Never attempt to jump-start the high-voltage battery.
• Using an EV to jump-start a gas car is generally not recommended, as it can damage the EV's electronics.
• After starting, keep the EV on for at least 20-30 minutes to allow the DC-DC converter to charge the 12-volt battery.
• If your EV is plugged into a charger, unplug it before attempting to jump-start the 12-volt system

And also:   

Summary 
You can jump start an EV with another car, but manufacturers generally advise against jump starting an ICE car or an electric car with another EV. It can cause damage to the main and smaller battery, software and other components. 

What is jump starting? 
Both, EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, have a small battery that helps the vehicle start its motor or engine and provides some energy when the engine or motor isn’t turned on but is using its lights, locks and other parts. When this smaller battery is dead, the vehicle won’t be able to turn on and will need a jump start to get back on the road. 

Jump starting involves using another car’s battery and jumper cables to give the dead battery temporarily enough power to start the engine. Depending on the reason for why the battery has run out of energy, it can be recharged with the power generated from driving or will have to be replaced if faulty.

Can you jump start an EV? 
Luckily, most EVs carry the same type of 12V battery you’ll find in ICE cars, meaning you can technically jump start it the same way. This battery is different to the larger, main battery pack used to power the motor of an EV, which is typically made from lithium-ion. There are exceptions, with some luxury EVs using a small lithium-ion battery instead of the 12V sulfuric acid-based battery found in the majority of cars. 

Although an EV’s smaller battery rarely runs out of charge completely, it can happen. The most common cause is the main battery pack being left on zero percent charge over an extended period of time, which will eventually lead to the 12V battery dying. In this case, you can either jump start your EV with another car or use a trickle charger to resupply enough energy to the 12V battery to start the motor and fully recharge it that way. 

How to jump start an electric car 
Before you attempt to jump start an electric car on your own, check if you have an existing maintenance package or roadside cover that will provide professional assistance. Performing a jump start on an electric car could void your warranty or cause your insurance to be cancelled. Always check your policy before you attempt to do this. 

If you have to, here are the steps for how to jump start an electric car:

1. Park your EV on a flat surface. Avoid hills or sloped areas.
2. Connect the jump cable to the positive terminal on the 12V battery on the EV side.
3. Then connect the other end of the jump cable to the positive terminal on the 12V battery on the ICE car side.
4. Now, connect the other jump cable to the negative pole on the ICE car battery.
5. On the other side, connect the opposite end of the jump cable to the bodywork of the EV.
6. Finally, start the ICE car engine to jump start your EV.

If your electric car doesn’t come on straight away, switch it off and wait around 15 seconds before repeating the process. Leave your EV on for a minimum of 20 minutes to allow the 12V battery to recharge enough.   

Can you jump start using an electric car? 
While it’s possible to jump start another car using an EV, most manufacturers strongly advise against it and will void your warranty if you do so. There are several reasons why it isn’t a good idea to jump start using an EV. 

ICE car batteries are made to provide a burst of energy to ignite the fuel that runs an engine. An EV’s 12V battery, on the other hand, isn’t meant for this purpose and simply doesn’t provide enough energy to jump start another EV or petrol or diesel car. Attempting to jump start another car can cause significant damage to the smaller battery in an electric car. 

Jump starting another car with your EV can also cause issues with the battery management system and DC to DC converter in your electric car. This converter is crucial to many smaller functions in an EV. If it breaks or becomes faulty, you may not be able to perform basic tasks, such as using your lights, heating and cooling/heating, etc.