As electric vehicles (EVs) became more popular and affordable, RACQ has unveiled its new tow trucks and roadside patrol equipped with on-board mobile EV chargers, now available to drivers who run out of charge in Brisbane.
The move puts the Club at the forefront of new and emerging technology, with the chargers able to get an EV back up and running within 30 minutes, from wherever it breaks down.
RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said with more than 50 percent of Australians considering an EV as their next vehicle, there had never been a better time to buy, with six new EV models coming on to the Australian market in 2021.
“In recent years, it’s been pretty expensive to buy an EV, but in the next year we’ll have the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, the Nissan Leaf e+ and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 coming out, all priced under $65,000,” Dr Michael said.
“It’s really exciting the way the technology is going. Not only have we partnered with the State Government to deliver Queensland’s EV Super Highway stretching from Coolangatta to Cairns, we now have our mobile and trickle chargers in our Brisbane fleet to help people out when they come unstuck at the last minute.”
RACQ Patrol Howard Strasser said the new mobile chargers were great news for members who may come unstuck.
“If you’re driving an EV and run out of charge in Brisbane, we can now come to you and get you back up and running within 30 minutes, alternatively, we can tow you to straight to our nearest RACQ fast charger,” Mr Strasser said.
“It’s going to be a game-changer because people run out of charge just like they run out of fuel, the difference is, you can’t just put $5 worth of fuel in to get it on the road, you need a charger.”
Mr Strasser said the new tow trucks also had a range of features including exterior variable safety message boards and a full HD multi camera CCTV system, which would keep RACQ employees and their members safer while working or waiting on the side on the road.
“The improved loading angle on this truck also makes it much easier and safer for us to load both motorcycles and specialty vehicles, and it’ll reduce potential damage. Members are also going to be much more comfortable if they’re in the backseat of our truck – we’ve got mobile phone charging capabilities and safety lighting on the doors and tray for safer entry and exit.”
RACQ is proudly hosting and sponsoring AfMA’s upcoming Professional Development Forum in Brisbane on Tuesday March 2. For details and tickets for this event and others running across Australia in March, click here.
