Better World Club aims to out-green the AAA
When we mention the American Automobile Association (AAA) on ABG, we usually are passing along some bit of data that the auto club has calculated. In April, for example, the AAA said that driving costs had gone up 1.9 cents per mile in the last year. The AAA also provides a lot of gas price statistics. But what we haven't really talked about is the AAA's less-than-stellar environmental performance. The Better World Club (BWC) would like to change that. The BWC calls itself "the nation's only environmentally friendly autoclub" and recently set up a discount program for drivers of hybrids, EV and biodiesel vehicles. The BWC also donates one percent of its annual revenue to environmental clean-up activities. Since the BWC was founded in 2002 to directly compete with the AAA, especialy on environmental issues, it's no surprise that the BWC's website include a special reprint of a 2002 article from Harper's that exposed some of the AAA's not-so-green activities. Take this example:
A frequent target of the group's Washington office has been federal environmental laws. In 1999, AAA opposed new rules that required cleaner-burning exhaust systems for cars, trucks, and SUVs, and two years prior assailed an EPA proposal requiring states to reduce levels of smog and soot. In 1990, AAA even fought the strengthening of the Clean Air Act - a measure supported by three fourths of Americans - on the grounds that it would limit the "personal mobility" of motorists.
I'm not a member of the AAA or the BWC, but the BWC's roadside assistance benefits seem pretty similar to the better-known group's. If the prices and service are the same, seems to make sense to go with the green group, no? Thanks to Andrew F for the tip.
[Source: Better World Club]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlackbirdHighway 8:38AM (8/13/2008)
So, you guys didn't notice when I tipped you on this about a month ago?
BWC also offers bike roadside assistance, which the AAA doesn't have.
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MarkR 9:23AM (8/13/2008)
Sure their road side assistance is similar. only if you presume you can find someone that will honor it.
I'll stick with AAA, until BWC is a national force to give AAA a run for their money.
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Gareth 2:16PM (8/13/2008)
Hey, I'm with BWC, and thanks a lot for the write-up.
In regards to MarkR, our network is comparable in size to AAA, and when you're broken down you can call our toll-free number and we'll find someone to help you, instead of you calling a tower directly.
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Andy 8:09AM (8/14/2008)
AAA is an association and as such, their directors are elected by the membership. So their environmental policy probably just reflects the average consumers attitude. Those of you sticking with AAA can influence a change in this policy if you want to.
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bc 3:16PM (8/14/2008)
I was a member of AAA for 20 years before joining BWC, and I can't recall ever receiving a proxy to vote for officers, or being surveyed about my opinions on the issues AAA was addressing.
Rusty 11:03AM (8/14/2008)
I think you'll find that AAA varies significantly by region. The Northern California AAA chapter has been pretty active in educating drivers about alternative fuels and new vehicle technologies, and has been putting its money where its mouth is by funding grants for clean vehicle research and promotion as well as vehicle conversions. The program is called Project Greenlight - details are here:
http://www.csaa.com/portal/site/CSAA/menuitem.c13d2427e527f6a08e7ea35492278a0c/?vgnextoid=9ecd20cf57591110VgnVCM1000008712daceRCRD&vgnextchannel=a60bd284f0749010VgnVCM1000002872a8c0RCRD
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