More than a decade after launching the EV cell phone charging pilot program, AAA is launching a second, larger program that will provide mobile phone charging to members in 14 regions urban areas of the United States.
New pilot program offering free cell phone charging to AAA members in the following cities: San Francisco; Indianapolis; Philadelphia; Orlando; Nashville; Charlotte; Denver; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Avon, Peabody and West Springfield, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Bend and Portland, Oregon.
“As part of this review, AAA will also explore a variety of portable charging methods to provide the best experience for its members,” the organization said in a statement. AAA told Green Car Reports that it is using multiple providers in this rollout, and it varies depending on the city as it works to perfect those partnerships.
AAA mobile EV charging capability
Although not named as one of the providers, one company that is offering such portable charging services is electric sparks. The company is rolling out a “charge-as-a-service” model for the first time, allowing electric vehicle drivers to order more energy through an app, in Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose. In August, it announced an expansion to more surrounding communities after closing a $7 million funding round.
Indeed it’s been over a decade since AAA testing roadside charging for the first time for electric vehicles. The 2010 initial pilot included five prototype mobile phone charging vehicles, which are now decommissioned. According to AAA, the lessons learned from them have influenced this new pilot program.
AAA TripTik Planner showing EV charging stations
However, as we learned when we caught up with AAA in 2016, the service is rarely used — and electric vehicle drivers are often more likely to have range control than range anxiety. previously suggested. Recently, automakers and even some growing charging networks have found that these solutions help with range anxietyHowever.
In addition to mobile charging, EV charging options are being integrated with AAA’s trip planners. It says EV-specific features will be added to the newly launched Trip Canvas road trip planner soon, and charging stations are already listed alongside gas stations in Travel Planner TripTik, provides directions from one point to another. AAA adds EV charging for the first time its map service in 2012.
