Local authorities implementing car club schemes can benefit from reduced car ownership and increased EV usage among drivers. 

A quarter (25%) of car club members have already tried an EV and nearly eight out of ten (78%) were happy with the driving and charging experience

A third of car owners who are members of a car club have got rid of at least one vehicle since joining, with more than two-thirds (68%) of those disposed cars being at least five years old, according to a new survey. 

Car club usage among car owners also leads to an uplift in the use of electric vehicles, as well as public transport and active travel. 

The study highlighted that a quarter (25%) of car club members had already tried an EV and nearly eight out of ten (78%) were happy with the driving and charging experience.  

The research of more than 4,000 Enterprise Car Club members across the UK was carried out by shared transport charity CoMoUK. 

The survey also revealed that car club members are increasingly likely to use active travel – a key goal of local authorities: 30% of members said they’d reduced their journeys in a private car, 18% said they now walked more, which is higher than the national average, and 10% cycled more often.  

“Encouraging car owners to try a car club could be vital in encouraging the behaviour shift needed to achieve the UK’s decarbonisation targets,” said Dan Gursel, managing director of Enterprise Car Club.  

“Expanding the number of car club vehicles can help local authorities to reduce the number of miles people travel by car and also the number of vehicles they own.  

“It could be a very useful ally for those local authorities introducing Low Emission or Clean Air Zones, especially as renting from a car club is also a cost-effective and convenient way for people to try out EV motoring.”

Car clubs also help drivers save money while ensuring access to a vehicle. Nearly three-quarters (72%) said that membership of a car club saved them money when compared to owning or leasing their own car, while 62% said that they drove less overall since joining the club.  

“Expanding car club availability in communities across the UK could help to ease the growing cost-of-living pressure that’s affecting so many people,” continued Gursel.   

“It also ensures access to appropriate mobility when people really need to use a car. Many people in the UK still need a vehicle, but more and more are happy to rely on being able to easily access one via a car club.”