AAA Survey Shows Washingtonians Are Charging Forward with Electric Vehicles

Washington electric vehicle (EV) owners are charging forward and encouraging others to join the ride. According to a recent survey conducted by AAA Washington, 95% of the auto club’s EV-driving members would recommend purchasing an EV, highlighting strong interest in moving toward an electric future, while identifying hurdles to make them more accessible.
More than 15% of AAA Washington members who responded to the survey indicated they currently drive an EV, compared to around 6% of Washington drivers. Responders cited the health of the environment, saving money on gas, and performance as the driving factors.

Additional results found:

• Government incentives and rebates were a deciding factor for 46% in purchasing an EV, with less than 5% unaware of such incentives.
• 90% of respondents who own an EV said they had not struggled to operate or maintain it. Of those who indicated they had, 40% related their struggles to a lack of reliable charging stations.
• 42% of survey respondents indicated they are considering an EV as their next car.

“More than 11,000 members responded to our survey in less than 48 hours,” said Laura Ray, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Environmental, Social, and Governance with AAA Washington. “The level of engagement was surprising and reveals the growing appetite Washingtonians have for EVs. As our members’ interest in EVs grows, it’s important for us to support them on their journey. We provide access to reliable information for all drivers and advocate for greater accessibility and safety through policy efforts at the state level.”

AAA Washington’s EV “Tool Kit” was created to help its members and all drivers with the transition to EVs:

• AAA Car Guide, an annual database and publication that helps buyers make better, more informed decisions by covering topics like the total costs of car ownership and how to decide whether an EV is a good fit for your driving needs.
• AAA Driving Costs Calculator, which allows you to estimate costs for fuel, maintenance and other costs based on details specific to you so you can compare the total costs of driving a standard vehicle versus an electric one.
• AAA Washington EV Website Hub, which includes resources like what tax breaks are available, how electric car charging works, and other important information for prospective buyers.

AAA’s renowned Emergency Roadside Service is available for EVs.

To help address the need for reliable high-speed charging stations, AAA Washington has installed DC fast charging stations at several of its stores, including:

• AAA Vancouver Cruise & Travel Store (4301 East 4th Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA)
• AAA Lynnwood Cruise & Travel Store (3000 196th Street S.W., Lynnwood, WA)
• AAA Tacoma Cruise & Travel Store – Coming Soon (1801 South Union Ave., Tacoma, WA)

To advocate on its members’ behalf, AAA Washington is helping inform Washington state’s transportation electrification strategy as a member of the EV coordinating council’s industry advisory committee. Part of this work included “The Help Shape the Future of EVs in Washington” members sentiment survey conducted by AAA Washington in May 2023. Approximately 400,000 AAA Washington members were emailed the study with nearly 12,400 respondents.

About AAA Washington:

AAA Washington was established in 1904 by 10 prominent Seattleites determined to champion the betterment of motoring conditions and laws, the preservation of Washington state’s natural beauty and the promotion of Washington as an unrivaled tourist destination. Nearly 120 years later, the club continues to pursue these on behalf of its 1.2 million members.

Members of AAA Washington receive exclusive benefits, including roadside assistance, discounts on hotels and rental cars, comprehensive insurance options, and personalized trip planning. AAA Washington was named a Best Place to Work by Puget Sound Business Journal and voted the best Travel/Tourism Company by 425 Business readers in 2023, and AAA was named one of the most trusted travel and automotive brands in the U.S. Additional information is available through the company’s Washington and northern Idaho stores and at www.AAA.com. 

About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by conducting research into their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. Visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

Media Contact

Fearey o/b/o AAA Washington 
AAA@feareygroup.com 
206-838-9209

Twitter: @AAA_Washington
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Interested in planning your next road trip with AAA Washington? Call your travel agent directly or your nearest AAA store to get pro tips, TripTik maps, and more. Find more Pacific Northwest scenic drives and road trips.