PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – AAA is expanding membership capabilities and benefits by providing additional services for electric vehicle drivers with the addition of a mobile charging truck in Bend, the organization said. Thursday.
AAA says it offers more roadside solutions for EV drivers and is investing in research to better understand electric vehicle performance and consumer perceptions.
Portland and now Bend are two Oregon markets where AAA provides mobile charging for roadside EVs. AAA Oregon/Idaho first launched this service as part of AAA’s first pilot program in 2011, when Portland was one of only six cities nationwide to offer mobile EV charging.
AAA service trucks with mobile electric vehicle charging capability provide a Level 2 charge and typically provide about 10 to 14 miles of range in about 30 minutes so drivers of EV can go home or to a charging station.
As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to grow, as shown in a recent AAA study, AAA is ready to service any type of vehicle, whether electric or gas.
“AAA members know that we are more than just roadside assistance. AAA is also committed to researching and educating our members and the general public about transportation options such as electric vehicles. As automakers continue to expand their EV offerings, we will continue to provide honest and unbiased information about EV performance and provide service for all types of vehicles. that our members are driving,” said Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
The AAA mobile EV charging program is offered in these 14 cities:
Avon, MA
Bend, OR
Charlotte, NC
Denver, CO
Grand Rapids, MI
Indianapolis, IN
Nashville, TN
Orlando, FL
Peabody, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, O
Providence, RI
San Francisco, CA
West Springfield, MA
“AAA is the first motorcycle club in North America to offer a roadside assistance truck with the ability to charge electric vehicles. We have been a leader in assisting drivers in more than one century and the expansion of our EV service continues that tradition,” added Dodds. “Range anxiety is a major barrier between consumers and greater EV adoption. AAA can help alleviate this concern with special trucks equipped with mobile electric car chargers that provide enough range to get drivers home or to the nearest charging station.
AAA’s roadside EV charging provides up to a 30-minute Level 2 charge using the Blink IQ-200-M mobile charging unit with a standard J1772 plug for 10 or more miles of charge in your EV (depending on vehicle type ). AAA is now capable of charging most electric vehicles, including electric motorcycles, with this standard plug type. Tesla vehicles can also be charged with the Tesla J1772 adapter.
The mobile electric vehicle charging truck is very similar to other AAA light services vehicles. The truck is equipped to allow AAA technicians to provide traditional AAA Roadside Assistance capabilities to all motorists, such as battery test and replacement, jump start, tire change and fuel delivery. .
Mobile EV charging service is provided at no additional cost to AAA members. AAA will continue to evaluate the need for mobile electric vehicle charging and add additional locations. As part of this evaluation, AAA will also explore different mobile charging methods to provide the best experience for its members.
The new phase of mobile electric charging solutions is the second pilot of its kind brought by AAA to the market. Portland was one of the original test cities in the first pilot, launched a decade ago, to explore some prototype technologies that could be used to charge EVs on the side of the road. After 10 years of service, all original prototype vehicles were retired. AAA took all the information from that pilot project to develop this latest iteration.
Oregon ranks fourth in the nation when it comes to plug-in vehicles per capita. As of August 2022, Oregon has 56,375 registered electric vehicles. By November 2022, there will be 2,055 public chargers in 852 Locations. Learn more at https://goelectric.oregon.gov/
EV Charging at AAA branch offices
Level II Electric Vehicle charging stations, provided by ChargePoint, are available at the following AAA Service Centers: Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Salem, Eugene, Bend, Medford, and Boise. EV charging stations are accessible to all electric vehicle drivers through the ChargePoint app. AAA members receive two complimentary charging hours for their electric vehicles.
Plan a Road Trip with AAA
AAA has digital tools to help plan road trips – for gas-powered or electric vehicles. It can be used to find charging stations, save favorite or frequent trips for future trips, and discover more destination information including points of interest.
TripTick: AAA TripTik Travel Planner is a free point-to-point direction tool that travelers can use to map their routes, specifically planning the location of charging electric (or gas) vehicles. stations. Charging stations are now displayed under fuel and identified by this icon. 
Travelers can see the charging level available and can zero in on station details. AAA is constantly adding new features and soon users will have the ability to create curated road trips with electric charging stations and other content.
TripTik for the Portland area showing EV charging stations:
Here’s a TourBook listing for a Bend hotel with EV charging:
Trip Canvas: An innovative digital planning tool, Trip Canvas provides new ways for travelers to dream, plan, and share future road trips by choosing where and when they are. want to go This device will soon have many integrated features designed with electric vehicle drivers in mind.
AAA Trusted and Tested, Research That Pays to Continue
Electric vehicles are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and reduce dependence on imported oil because they use home-grown energy. EVs generally have zippy performance and handle similarly to their gas-powered counterparts. While EVs often have a higher sticker price than similar gas-powered vehicles, they cost less to maintain and the cost of electricity is often cheaper than gasoline.
To help educate the public, AAA conducts research surrounding electric vehicles including consumer sentiment surveys, testing to determine factors affecting electric vehicle coverage. , the real cost of electric vehicle ownership, and a survey of consumers’ experience of using electricity. To see the entire body of research, visit the AAA Newsroom.
AAA Car Guide
AAA also provides consumer education features such as the AAA Car Guide that help car buyers understand the latest automotive technology so they can buy cars that best suit their needs. This work began more than a decade ago with the first edition of what was then called the AAA Green Car Guide, which was intended to help consumers navigate the electric vehicle market. While the Guide’s parameters have evolved to include things like driver assistance features, it’s interesting that many of the top-rated vehicles are also electric.
Cash-Back Rewards for EV Charging
AAA is proud to offer AAA Visa Signature credit cards designed to reward consumers for everyday living. This includes cash-back rewards for electric vehicle charging.
What AAA Thinks
“Electric vehicles are the future of transportation,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering at AAA. “As improvements in models and coverage continue to evolve, they become a more viable option for more people.”
Consumers interested in electric vehicles should research and learn as much as possible about these types of vehicles. AAA also recommends drivers visit a dealership, test drive an electric vehicle and ask as many questions as possible to the dealer and other electric vehicle owners. It is also important to understand the charging options available at home to ensure that consumers can take advantage of electric vehicle technology with maximum convenience.
About AAA:
Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe driving, AAA has grown into one of the largest membership organizations in North America. Today, AAA provides roadside assistance, travel, discounts, financial and insurance services to enhance the life journey of 63 million members across North America, including more than 56 million in the United States. . To learn more about all that AAA has to offer or to become a member, visit AAA.com.
