AA launches mobile EV charging service

The Automobile Association (AA) has launched its first mobile charging breakdown van for EVs.

A new AA Battery Service van launched at an event in Wellington will trial the service in the capital from this week with enough charge provided in 20 to 25 minutes for an EV to drive up to 10km.

That will allow AA members with EVs to get home or to a nearby charging station, the AA says.

The new service, which follows similar models overseas, will help provide Wellington EV owners and potential EV buyers with peace-of-mind that they won’t be stranded if they run out power, AA battery service general manager Mandy Mellar says.

“Wellington is home to the highest number of EVs per capita, with almost 3000 registered in the region. 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,” she says.

Associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter and Wellington mayor Andy Foster were among those attending the launch.

The van – not an EV itself at this stage – will be available to AA members between 7am and 11pm daily at no additional cost.

It will also attend battery-related breakdowns of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The AA says if the trial is successful the mobile battery service will consider expanding to other parts of the country.

The van is a Toyota Hiace diesel, although the AA is considering sourcing an EV replacement when one becomes available.

The AA says the van will on the road about 16 hours daily carrying a heavy payload, including regular batteries, and there’s no EV in New Zealand which can fit the requirements.

“AA Battery Service celebrated 20 years of operation earlier this year,” Mellar says.

“We’ve had great feedback for years about our roadside battery replacement service, so we’re really excited to now provide this service for EV owners too.”

The AA recently joined the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Gen Less campaign to show the ongoing action it is taking to live and work in more climate-friendly ways and also provide practical tips, tools and ideas for how its 1.7 million members might do more with less.

AA EV Charge Finder is also provided, a platform built in collaboration with the NZ Transport Agency and other industry partners to collect live information from safe and monitored charge points across the country to help EV drivers plan their journeys.

For EV charger assistance Wellington AA Members can call 0800 500 222, or request assistance via the AA Roadservice app.