FleetDrive 22 - April 2020 | Page 23

h FLEETDRIVE orth Daniel: What exactly does your role with RACQ currently entail? John: In layman’s terms I manage and support the commercial operations and RACQ is working on a variety of charging initiatives right now for the EV market. There’s a heap of different projects happening within the region which is really exciting. D: Take us through the most important initiatives that you’re involved with at the moment? J: Our largest fleets have identified that they’re expanding into EVs and they are looking at gaining that extra support from us. So, we’ve sought to provide whatever we can to help EV’s and hence we’ve invested in a mobile charging system that is fitted to one of our normal roadside assist patrol vehicles. This system goes out and provides a quick boost to EVs to get them going to the nearest repairer or charging station within a 15-20 kilometre radius from the point of breakdown. D: And how does the funding model work for something like that? Do drivers have to be subscribed to RACQ or is there a link with other EV providers? J: With our products, it is a fee for use service. Any time a tow truck or patrol vehicle is summoned or required for a fleet, they pay a standard call out fee. But there’s no additional charges for EVs above our standard call-out fee (which for many members may already be covered in their RACQ membership). ISSUE 22 2020 / WWW.AFMA.ORG.AU 23