Even as technology advances, motorists identify range anxiety and lack of charging locations as top reasons to not drive electric

ORLANDO, Fla., (May 9, 2013) – The number of electric vehicle charging station locations has increased 959 percent since the debut of the Nissan Leaf in 2010. Despite that, eight out of ten U.S. adults are unsure about or unlikely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) and 30 percent of them say it is due to mileage limitations and availability of charging stations locations, according to a survey by AAA.

“There have been major advancements in electric vehicle technology and the supporting infrastructure,” said John Nielsen, AAA Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, “However, it will take time and education for the general motoring public to understand just how far these vehicles have come, and recognize the many resources available to those who drive them.”

Modern EVs typically have a range of 60-100 miles, more than enough for the average driver’s daily commute which the U.S. Department of Transportation says is around 16 miles one way. As to recharging, the U.S. Department of Energy reports there are now more than 5,800 charging stations available for public use. The agency has aggressively promoted expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Additional findings from the AAA survey, fielded in July 2012, show that 26 percent of U.S. adults who are unsure about or unlikely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) cite the higher cost in general of an electric vehicle (i.e. buying, maintaining) as a reason they would be unlikely/undecided to make such a purchase.   “Battery improvements, increased competition, and economies of scale are all likely to drive down costs associated with buying an EV,” Nielsen continued. “With no need to change oil or filters and less brake system wear and tear, maintaining an EV is actually more affordable than a conventional vehicle.”

As joint efforts by government, private groups, and the automotive industry bring the charging picture into focus, AAA’s commitment to meeting member’s needs continues through electric vehicle roadside assistance. In 2011, AAA facilitated an extensive electric vehicle charging research and development program to help test EV charging as a roadside solution. AAA’s specially equipped road service trucks – capable of providing EV charging in approximately 15 minutes for about 10 miles of driving – are currently being tested in select markets across the country. The trucks can also provide traditional roadside services to members with any type of vehicle.

Working with the Electric Drive Transportation Association, AAA recently added EV content to their public information website, AAA Exchange. The new content provides basic information about electric vehicles that will help motorists determine whether an electric vehicle might be right for them. The materials also examine the various types of electric vehicles available, and help consumers understand the important differences that come with owning and operating an electric car.

Electric vehicle drivers looking for a public charging station in their area can consult the online AAA TripTik Travel Planner or the AAA Mobile application for smartphones. About 400 EV charging stations are located at AAA/CAA Approved hotels, restaurants and attractions. A green “plug” icon accompanies listings for these establishments in club-customizable AAA.com Travel Guides and 2013 Tour Book guides, which also denote stations available at AAA club offices.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Orlando, Fl – 5/19/2011

“On-the-go” tools make it easy to compare gas prices, locate discounts and select hotels, restaurants and fun stops along the way

AAA estimates 34.9 million Americans will kick off the summer travel season with a Memorial Day getaway and, from digital travel guides to mobile applications, provides the tools needed to plan and navigate a fun trip. Travelers can enjoy the advantages of packing light since these trip-planning resources have been developed for the popular portable devices they are already using daily.

AAA eTourBook Guides

Free and exclusively for members, the new eTourBook guides sync with top ereaders and tablets, and smartphones equipped with an ereader app. Each of the new guides highlights a top North American travel destination complete with listings for AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants; AAA Editor’s Picks for attractions, events and nightlife; and other proprietary information available only through AAA. Members can download eTourBook guides for 40 destinations at AAA.com/ebooks.

AAA Apps

AAA’s GPS-based mobile apps are available for both iPhone and Android-compatible devices. Membership is not required to download and use AAA apps, but is needed to take full advantage of the associated member benefits, such as discounts and roadside assistance. For more information on AAA apps, visit AAA.com/Mobile.

AAA TripTik Mobile shows nearby gas station locations along with updated fuel prices. It also provides maps and turn-by-turn directions and displays additional points of interest including AAA Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, AAA Approved attractions, local events, AAA offices and Approved Auto Repair facilities. The app can recalculate routes and provide voice guidance for the next maneuver.

The app can also integrate trips already created and saved with AAA.com’s TripTik Travel Planner. A saved route generates a unique AAA TripTik ID that a user enters into the app to download the map and directions. The ID can be shared with multiple users and the entire downloaded route can be modified as needed. (Saving routes requires registration on AAA.com and may require AAA membership.)

AAA Discounts, downloaded more than one million times, finds nearby places that offer AAA members a Show Your Card & Save discount. The app displays key information including business name, address, phone number, distance from current location and discount details. Users can sort listings by category and have one-click access to a route map and narrative directions. While anyone can use these key app features, only members may take advantage of the available discounts.

AAA Roadside allows AAA members to request roadside assistance without even placing a call. The app uses the phone’s GPS technology to transmit the user’s location and details about the vehicle breakdown directly to AAA Roadside Assistance. The app also provides replacement battery price quotes and allows members to request a AAA Mobile Battery technician service delivery and install a new car battery. Additionally, the app shows nearby Approved Auto Repair locations so members can easily choose where to have their vehicle towed, if needed.

About AAA

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Orlando, Fl – 3/24/2011

With gas prices 73 cents higher per gallon than last year, the AAA TripTik Mobile app for iPhone helps motorists compare prices at nearby stations 

Many Americans are feeling anxiety at the pump as the price of a tank of gas has increased more than 25 percent since the same time last year. As a result of this increase, finding the lowest prices is becoming a top priority for motorists as fuel costs consume a larger chunk of their household budget. Those with an Apple iPhone can save time comparing costs by using the AAA TripTik^® Mobile application, the first free app to offer access to frequently updated gas prices.

AAA TripTik Mobile is a GPS-based app with maps showing gas station locations and other points of interest, such as hotels, restaurants and attractions, near a user’s location or any user-specified location. Gas station details include updated prices for all available grades of gasoline. New preference settings allow users to show prices for just their preferred grade and sort stations alphabetically or by distance.

Hotel and restaurant information includes AAA’s Diamond Ratings based on professional in-person inspections. There’s also an option to call for lodging reservations with the touch of a button. The AAA TripTik Mobile app also provides maps and turn-by-turn directions to other points of interest including local events, AAA offices and Approved Auto Repair facilities, as well as user-entered addresses. The app can recalculate routes and provide voice guidance for the next maneuver.

AAA also offers the added convenience of integration between its online and mobile products. Travelers that want to plan a trip in advance or share directions with friends or family can use TripTik Travel Planner at AAA.com to create and save routes. Saved routes that may include stops along the way will generate a unique AAA TripTik ID. This ID can then be used with the app to download the maps and directions. The ID can be shared with multiple TripTik Mobile app users and the entire downloaded route can be modified on the iPhone as needed. (Saving routes requires registration on AAA.com and may require AAA membership.)

AAA TripTik Mobile uses the latest mapping data from the navigation market leader NAVTEQ. Full functionality on iPod Touch and non-3G iPad devices requires uninterrupted Wi-Fi access.

AAA TripTik Mobile is the third free iPhone app offered by AAA. The AAA Discounts app, with more than a million total downloads, also uses GPS technology to display nearby AAA Show Your Card & Save locations. AAA Roadside enables AAA members who require emergency road service to send their vehicle description and breakdown details directly to AAA. Additional information is provided on AAA.com/mobile.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C.,  April 19, 2010

Today marks the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week and AAA urges motorists to use caution and drive safely when approaching and driving through work zones as most people injured or killed in work zone crashes – approximately four out of every five – are drivers or passengers.

Over the last five years, the number of lives lost in work zone-related traffic crashes has decreased by over 32 percent from 1,063 in 2004 to 720 in 2008, the most recent year for which data are available. Encouraged by the progress made, AAA warns motorists in work zones to slow down and stay alert.

“We’ve seen a reduction in the number of work zone crashes over the last few years and that’s a positive development, but we can certainly do much better in this area to move the nation toward zero traffic deaths,” said AAA Vice President of Public Affairs Kathleen Marvaso. “It is incumbent upon motorists to prepare for and expect sudden changes in driving conditions when approaching designated work zone areas. By simply slowing down and obeying the posted advisories, motorists can help prevent work zone crashes and keep themselves, their passengers, and roadway construction workers safe.”

The enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and passage of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act of 2010 earlier this year have provided needed transportation funding for states and localities to repair and build highways, roads and bridges. Much of that spending is in the pipeline for projects to be completed this year. As the summer driving and peak road construction seasons approach, motorists in many parts of the country can expect increased levels of construction activity and may encounter greater numbers of work zone areas.

AAA offers the following work zone safety tips to motorists:

Plan Ahead – Motorists are encouraged to check for planned work zone delays and traffic advisories and allot extra travel time prior to departing for their trip. Free to all travelers, the AAA TripTik^® Travel Planner online mapping tool, available at AAA.com, provides motorists with the latest road construction and traffic congestion information so motorists can plan alternative travel routes to their destinations.

Remain Alert – Motorists should obey the directions of any police officer, firefighter or road crew flagger and follow all posted work zone advisories and signage. Temporary work zone signs are orange and commonly diamond-shaped. As with any driving situation, minimize interior and exterior distractions. Construction zones may contain unusual vehicles or machinery that can divert a driver’s attention. Drivers should be prepared to stop, slow down, shift lanes and yield to the movement of construction workers and equipment. Motorists should not turn off their vehicles when stopped on the roadway unless they will be idling for a significant period of time.

Reduce Speed – For the safety of all drivers and construction workers, normal posted speed limits are often reduced in work zones. Most states double fines for speeding in work zones when workers are present. Motorists, while keeping consistent with the flow of traffic, should maintain a safe distance between vehicles ahead, traffic barriers, construction workers and equipment.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.