Economy balance sheet of the ADAC
More members, more breakdowns, less money left
Status: 04.05.2024 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Members keep their cars longer, which means there are more breakdowns, according to a report
Source: dpa/Hannes P Albert
The ADAC is Germany’s largest club with 21.8 million members. And it continues to grow, as was reported at the annual general meeting. But the annual result will probably be somewhat clouded – because of too many breakdowns. There are also heated debates on another topic.
Germany’s largest club has continued to grow. As ADAC President Christian Reinicke said before the general meeting on Saturday in Bremen, the number of members rose by 380,000 last year to 21.8 million. “Most members come to us because of roadside assistance,” said Reinicke. But three quarters of new members took out the more expensive premium membership with additional services.
The annual result is still “a good deal below the previous year because we had more breakdowns,” said board member Oliver Weissenberger. Drivers are keeping their vehicles longer and the fleet is getting older. The number of road patrol missions rose from 3.4 million to over 3.5 million. The association wants to announce the financial figures at the general meeting.
This year, the focus of the general meeting, which brings together around 230 delegates from the 18 regional clubs, is “the opportunities and risks of electromobility”. The club’s management expected a lively debate, also because “many members are skeptical about e-mobility,” as Reinicke said.
Combustion engine shutdown for the club
The Presidium believes “e-mobility is currently the only way to operate cars in a climate-neutral manner and achieve climate goals” and is trying to set positive accents. The ADAC advises and has already tested over 150 electric models. The association is set to phase out combustion engines in new car sales in the EU from 2035. “But it has to remain open to technology,” said Reinicke. Hydrogen, fuel cells or e-fuels should not be ruled out. There is an existing fleet of over 40 million petrol and diesel cars in Germany.
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When it comes to ADAC breakdown assistance, “we won’t be able to fleet any electric cars in the foreseeable future,” said Weissenberger. With a load of 600 kilograms of tools and equipment, the vehicles are too heavy for this, “so our range is reduced to our knees.” In addition, the breakdown assistants would also have to be able to tow another vehicle if necessary. In order to still be more climate-friendly on the road, roadside assistance cars should increasingly be fueled with biodiesel HVO100.
The club has a new solution for its ADAC e-Charge charging offer. After the end of the cooperation with EnBW, Aral pulse is to become the new partner there from August 1st. Reinicke announced on Saturday that the basic principles of the cooperation had been agreed. Details should follow in good time before the start.