AAA Adds 55 Electric Vehicles As Part Of Sacramento’s Green City Initiative

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AAA is adding 55 VW eGolf electric vehicles to its vehicle subscription service in Sacramento, California this week, in support of Electrify America’s Green City Initiative.

AAA VW eGolf
Image courtesy: Electrify America

The AAA Car Subscription service lets members rent one of the 55 VW eGolfs for a flat monthly fee including all necessary insurance, repairs, maintenance, and of course, AAA’s infamous roadside assistance service. Electrify America is subsidizing the additional electric vehicles for the AAA program to promote the benefits of driving electric vehicles.

“Our association with Electrify America is making it easier than ever to enjoy the benefits of driving an electric vehicle and includes additional discounted options for low income and disadvantaged communities,” said Matt Alfano, Vice President Mobility Innovation of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. “AAA Northern California has been helping keep drivers on the road for more than 100 years and now we’re making it easier for drivers to experience the freedom and advantages of driving an electric vehicle.”

In the regions where the program operates, it allows drivers to lock in an electric vehicle for three to twelve months at a time. Much like with an insurance policy, drivers can select the mileage range they expect to drive and get a flat price for everything. It’s an impressive offering, though many drivers are likely to experience some form of sticker shock as most of the external costs associated with owning a vehicle are rolled into that one monthly fee.

After locking in the price online, AAA will deliver the vehicle right to the customer’s address with a COVID-friendly zero contact delivery. At the end of the term, customers can schedule the return of the vehicle or simply renew the subscription. What’s cool about this program is that discounts are available to low income residents and those living in disadvantaged communities. Everyone should be able to drive electric and this new program makes it easy for people in all walks of life to try an electric vehicle as their primary vehicle in life, whether it’s just to bridge a gap between vehicles or to see if an electric vehicle is a good fit for their life without having to commit to a purchase or long term lease.

“Electrify America’s investments in Sacramento are intended to increase access to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) for area residents, expand ZEV technology use, and prepare the city for future electric vehicle adoption,” said Rich Steinberg, Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Green Cities at Electrify America.

Electrify America’s charging locations in the greater Sacramento area. Screenshot from ElectrifyAmerica.com

The program augments Electrify America’s primary effort of installing high power DC fast charging stations across the country with an easy way for people to drive electric. Electrify America was mandated to invest massive buckets of cash into the electrification of transportation as a way to offset the massive damage caused by the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal, also known as dieselgate. Given this, it is a bit surprising to see VW eGolfs being used in the pilot as it effectively uses the fines to generate more sales for VW, but whatever. At least they’re electric.

In Sacramento alone, Electrify America is investing more than $40 million to disrupt transportation in the city, driving the transition to electric vehicles through the Green City initiative. As the state capital of California, shifting the sentiment towards electric vehicles in Sacramento has the potential to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the state.

Source: EV Obsession


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

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