Case Study: AAA Auto Club

AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah (AAA NCNU) is expanding its member services by promoting environmental stewardships through its award-winning Greenlight® initiative. Launched in 2005, Greenlight was developed in response to customers' needs to keep informed on alternative fuels and vehicles as well as meeting its own corporate environmental objectives.

In an effort to promote more fuel-efficient transportation, AAA NCNU transitioned about 300 of its 425-vehicle fleet into gasoline hybrids in 2006. It also has about a dozen minivans that use E-85, a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. AAA fleet drivers travel approximately 4.8 million miles per year. The cars are used by insurance employees.

This switch doubled fleet fuel economy, leading to a savings of 120,112 gallons of fuel in 2008, and 93,607 gallons in 2009 (due to a fleet size decrease). As a result, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by 1,068 metric tons in 2008, and 832 metric tons in 2009. By purchasing carbon offsets for its emissions, the auto club's fleet is carbon neutral. "For us, the savings in dollars due to fuel economy far outweigh the additional expense of purchasing the hybrids and carbon offsets," said AAA Fleet Manager Peter Peirce.

Members and the general public can tap into information on some of the alternatives to the gasoline-only engine, including hybrids and non-traditional fuel options, such as biodiesel and electric-fueled vehicles through the Greenlight initiative Web site. AAA also offers free classes to members and the general public providing tips on how to maximize the performance and fuel economy of hybrid vehicles.

AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah awards grants to organizations that share its environmental objectives. Through a long-standing partnership with the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, and awarding up to $150,000 in grants and fellowships, AAA is finding ways to promote the study of clean vehicles and fuels. "We're so pleased to be able to offer assistance in this fast-developing and increasingly important field," said Greenlight manager Deborah Wong.

"AAA is proud to be an educator and advocate for new vehicle technology that gives consumers more choices while protecting our environment," said Wong. "AAA was here for the first 100 years of the automobile and it is through forward-thinking initiatives like Greenlight that we plan to be here for the next chapter."