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Founded in 1905, the AA today offers a diverse portfolio of products and services: apart from B2C and B2B roadside assistance, the automobile club also operates the AA Driving School and AA Smart Care, a booking service for AA certified garages. Its insurance division offers motor and home policies as well as a range of financial services, including AA Cars, a vendor of used cars with free history checks and breakdown cover.

Aiming to become net zero by 2035, the AA is currently preparing for a pioneering launch of electric recovery vehicles, and, in doing so, becoming the first UK-based roadside assistance firm to add electric vehicles to its fleet. Due to the complex vehicle requirements, the AA will take a test and scale approach to fleet decarbonisation with structured tests of alternative fuel vehicles in real-life settings. A fully electric Volvo FE Slidebed, an Iveco eDaily Powerload, and an Iveco eDaily crew van equipped with a heavy-duty Compact Recovery Trailer will become the first EV recovery trucks to be trialled.


NatWest agrees bespoke leasing facility

Looking for a suitable financing facility to fund the new electric recovery vehicles, the AA approached NatWest for advice. Following discussions about the AA’s immediate and mid-term funding requirements to add zero emissions vehicles to its fleet, NatWest agreed a bespoke lease facility.

 

Funding for new concept vehicles an important step towards the AA’s net zero goal for 2035

Edmund King OBE, President of The AA, said: “Introducing these exciting new concept vehicles to our fleet is an important step towards our goal of becoming a net zero company by 2035. As a market-leading organisation, we are committed to showing the way as the country transitions to a zero emissions future, and we’re excited to have a like-minded partner in NatWest. We thank their team for their excellent guidance in structuring this bespoke leasing facility and their continued support.”

Collette Murphy, Specialist Asset Finance, NatWest, commented: “We’re delighted to have been able to support The AA with their preparation for the road towards the decarbonisation of their breakdown fleet.

Our leasing facility for The AA is another example of delivering our commitment to actively help building a greener economy by providing £100 billion of Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing to our customers by the end of 2025.”  

Source: Biggest direct breakdown service provider
More consumer/personal members choose the AA than any other major UK breakdown service. Source: AA Intermediate Co Limited Interim Report 2023 (3.3m paid personal members) and RAC Bidco Limited Interim Report HY 2023 (2.7m consumer members). Verify at theAA.com/Best 

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