AA targets EV ‘range anxiety’

The AA is telling electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Wellington to worry less about running out of juice after launching its first mobile charging breakdown van.

A new AA Battery Service van is now operating in the city and carries a lightweight EV charger that in about 20 to 25 minutes will deliver enough charge to allow motorists to drive up to 10 kilometres so they can get home or to a charging station.

Mandy Mellar, AA Battery Service general manager, says she hopes the new service will help provide Wellington EV owners and would-be buyers’ extra peace of mind.

“Wellington is home to the highest number of EVs per capita, with almost 3,000 registered in the region,” she explains. “While there’s been an increase in charging infrastructure in recent years, ‘range anxiety’ is still a deterrent for some potential buyers, and previously we’ve had no choice but to provide a tow.” 

The van will be available to AA members between 7am and 11pm, 365 days of the year at no additional cost. It will also attend battery-related breakdowns of internal combustion engine vehicles. 

The vehicle was launched during a special event in the capital on July 20 that was attended by Julie Anne Genter, Associate Minister of Transport, and Andy Foster, Wellington Mayor.

If the trial is successful, AA Battery Service will look at introducing similar vans to other parts of the country.

Details of the new service comes just days after Wellington City Council announced it had installed 28 EV charging stations across the city in its push to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.