Thousands of stranded vehicles in the UK have been rescued by The AA’s ‘freewheeling hub’, since its pandemic launch five years ago.
Recovering on average almost ten thousand vehicles per year, AA patrols have used the invention almost 10,000 (9,500) times in the past year alone.
The ‘freewheeling hub’ tows EVs and 4x4s on two wheels that would otherwise be stranded. A key initiative to develop comprehensive EV support for drivers, the ‘freewheeling hub’ has resulted in shorter waiting times and reduced CO2 emissions for breakdown recoveries.
By eliminating the need for a second flatbed truck to recover hard to tow vehicles, the freewheeling hub saves around 235 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year – contributing to the AA’s ongoing commitment to reduce operational emissions to net zero by 2035.
The AA’s research and development department rolled out the innovation in 2021, devised as a solution for AA patrols to safely tow vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs) and SUVs, which normally cannot be ‘lifted’ and towed on two wheels.
Some manufacturers recommend against towing EVs, as the car’s motor is always mechanically connected to the wheels and does not have a true ‘neutral’ gear.
The first order for the device was signed on 15 September 2020. By mid-2021 the Freewheeling Hub had been successfully rolled out along the entire fleet of AA patrol vehicles. It is now used extensively to help move EVs and SUVs that cannot be repaired at the roadside.
The ‘freewheeling hub’ is part of an extensive portfolio of services designed to support business fleets and their EV drivers. including EV driver training and eco-driving courses, driver behavioural change and wellbeing support with Drivetech, help with journey mapping, in addition to dedicated EV insurance and accident management support and EV servicing maintenance and repair with Prestige Fleet Servicing.
James Starling, director, AA Business Services said:
“We pride ourselves on being always ahead, and the ‘freewheeling hub’ really has been a game changer for the quality and speed of service that we can offer at the roadside. The drivetrain of an EV is always mechanically connected to the wheels and does not have a true ‘neutral’ gear, so we knew we needed a practical solution to enable towing.
“Thanks to the work of our R&D team at The AA, we were able to launch a device that has transformed our roadside operations to be future ready as the number of EVs, old and new, on the road continues to grow.”
“The ‘freewheeling hub’ has helped to recover an average of almost 10,000 vehicles a year, with an average tow distance of 30 miles using a compact recovery trailer (CRT). That’s thousands of vehicles that previously would have needed a flatbed recovery vehicle to safely take them from the roadside. This not only saves time, it reduces carbon emissions too. As a classic work of AA innovation and forward thinking, we’re extremely proud of it.”
Image courtesy of The AA
