(REPOST: ZapMap)
Should an AA member be stranded in their EV with an empty battery, the patrol will be able to easily help get them to a POLAR point and recharge.
The service is likely to become increasingly important since a new AA-Populus survey has revealed that, of the 41% of AA members who currently own a diesel car, just 16% of them would buy a new diesel. In total, a third of AA members aim to switch from diesel cars for their next purchase – with some looking at EVs.
The AA has put its patrols through training courses to be able to deal with breakdowns of plug-in and hybrid vehicles already, with special rig created at its training base.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said during a keynote speech at the Energy Savings Trust conference in London yesterday (Thursday 9th November): “We have always been at the forefront of motoring innovation and as our member surveys show, the number of plug-in vehicles on the roads is going to increase quickly.
“So we want to ensure that all of our members are supported on the road, no matter what vehicle they drive. Our partnership with Chargemaster will offer AA members fantastic benefits in the future and now gives them peace of mind in the event of an emergency.”
David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster, said: “In many ways we have passed the tipping point for electric vehicle adoption in the UK, and the pace of change over the coming years will be quite dramatic.
“We recognise that charging infrastructure, whether at home, at work, or in public, is critical to increasing the uptake of EVs and supporting drivers to make the switch. Although many people are concerned about the number of charging points, the reality is that including dedicated units fitted at home, there are as many charging points in the UK as there are electric cars.