Car clubs
What are they?
Car clubs are short-term car rental services that allow their members access to locally parked cars which can usually be rented by the hour or day. They offer an alternative to private car ownership for individuals and businesses.
What are the benefits?
- Saves you money – you don’t pay the cost of tax, repairs, and other associated car ownership costs.
- Helping the environment – car club cars work out at 27 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than the average UK car (source: CoMoUK) the national charity for shared transport). Many car clubs have electric or hybrid vehicles further reducing the carbon footprint of your journey.
- Convenience – many car clubs allow you to book with short notice.
Where are they?
Co-Wheels operates a car club (one EV and one hybrid vehicle) in two of our car parks in Abingdon – Cattle Market, OX14 3JT (relocated to nearby Audlett Drive car park while works are carried out at Cattle Market) and West St Helens, OX14 5BU. It also has a 24/7 customer service team that are available to help with any queries. To book these and find other car clubs near you see the Co Wheels website
See this how-to video (made by Abingdon Liveable Streets gives a great step-by-step guide. Starting with setting up an account, booking a car, unlocking the car and driving an EV car (really useful for those who haven’t driven an EV before) and then returning the vehicle.
Peer-to-Peer car sharing
This is where people offer privately-owned vehicles for rent to others via an online platform. This is useful in areas without a car club . Hiyacar and Getaround are examples of carsharing platforms.
How to set up a community car club
Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) is the national charity dedicated to the social, economic and environmental benefits of shared transport. They have developed some guidance and can provide advice, support and best practice on setting up a community car club.
