The AA: Redefining driving 

The AA needs no introduction as the UK’s leading provider of roadside assistance. With 10 million business customers, the AA attends more than 3.2 million breakdowns per year – that's equivalent to one every nine seconds.  
   
With more than 2,500 patrols on the road, as well as numerous key partnerships, it is also quickly becoming the UK’s leading technology company for fleets.  
  
Supporting businesses on the journey to electrification  
The AA is at the forefront of the UK's transition to electrification, recently securing its 10th EV charge point support contract, making it the UK’s leading provider of services to the nation’s fast growing EV infrastructure networks. The charge point support service is part of the AA’s ongoing drive to help UK businesses switch to EVs with confidence.   
  
Since March 2020, the AA has created a dedicated team of 30 call handlers that deal with more than 11,000 calls per month, helping drivers with any charge point issues they may encounter. The service operates on a 24/7 basis and can also call on the skills of the AA patrol force, should the problems turn out to be vehicle related. As more people begin to use EVs, the AA want to ensure it's the ones providing the best possible support service to its customers and ensure it's with them every step of the way on their journey to net zero.  
  
Helping fleets plan for the future  
We think about our customers in all we do. And quite simply, our industry-leading research and insight help fleets plan for the future. Our webinar series discusses and debates the key topics impacting fleets, while our quarterly yellow papers give expert insight, collating a range of industry views to bring our customers the very latest insight. Our Operational Fleet Insight Report, launched with Rivus Fleet Solutions, researches and shares fleet views industry wide.   
  
Redefining driving   
The AA also gives a great deal of consideration to how the act of driving itself will change too. In June, the AA’s Business Services division hosted a key panel debate, reviewing how the driving experience will fundamentally change over the next decade, at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.   
  
Participants including myenergi, McLaren and McKinsey debated alongside AA President, Edmund King how tech and innovation will transform the driving experience, as well as considering the impact of connected technology on journeys of the future, and the role of OEMs in the customer transition to EVs.   
  
The AA has always been at the forefront of innovation, and it is more important than ever that we are there to empower business and personal drivers with expert guidance, support and evolving services throughout the transition.  
  

Great British EV Rally  
The AA also participated in the 2022 Great British EV Rally, travelling from the top of Scotland to the bottom of England over five days to showcase the UK’s EV charging infrastructure. The rally was a great opportunity to experience first-hand how the charging network is working and what it’s like to be on the other side of customer support. On the journey, the AA got the opportunity to explore the UK's most innovative EV charging points that are pioneering the future of the infrastructure, including Scotland's biggest ultra-rapid charge point in Hamilton and Gridserve's new electric forecourt in Essex.   
  
Industry-leading support   
In pursuit of industry-leading support for fleets and fleet managers, the AA has invested into the development of additional programmes such as Drivetech, which offers driver training to manage driver risks, as well as service, maintenance, repair provider Prestige Fleet Servicing. Both complement our accident management and insurance services too.   
  
Championing the fleet of tomorrow  
The AA is also trialling hydrogen as a future fuel for its fleet, with the launch of a hydrogen fuel cell roadside breakdown vehicle at the British Motor Show in Farnborough.   
  
The AA Hyundai NEXO launch will showcase the capabilities of hydrogen for business. Able to fuel up in just five minutes, and with an impressive range of 414 miles (WLTP1), the NEXO will carry most of the tools, equipment and spares you find across the AA’s yellow Patrol fleet. Designed for Patrol work in ultra-low-emission zones, the vehicle’s 414-mile range makes it a viable inclusion into the AA’s traditional yellow fleet, despite the UK’s general lack of hydrogen refuelling stations.    
  
The vehicle represents a significant step towards alternative fuels and further solidifies the AA position as an industry leader on the road to net zero. We plan to share the lessons we’ve learned with our customers along the way too.   
  
World-leading support for all   
The AA is dedicated to supporting all drivers in all vehicles, and champions training, roadside innovation and tooling in all areas, regardless of fuel type.