Run by the Cilgwyn Community Group, Newport Car Club will generate income from membership fees and mileage charges, which will be reinvested into the project to make it self-sustaining. A second car will be added shortly, and if demand overtakes availability the fleet will continue to grow.

Secretary of the Cilgwyn Community Group, Vicky Moller, said: ‘Almost every Welsh community could produce the fuel to drive their own cars with renewables. What’s really exciting about this is it brings car ownership within everyone's reach. Who can't afford £5 a month? There are no bills, tax or insurance. It’s shared ownership, admittedly, but this leads to the other innovative thing about our car club, it will encourage lift sharing.’

Fast charging units are available in Haverfordwest, with spare wind farm energy used in Cilgwyn and solar panels on the roof of Newport Memorial Hall means it can be charged locally using renewable energy, further reducing CO2 emissions.

Big Lottery Fund Wales Director, John Rose, added: ‘We want to see more communities reducing their carbon footprint and adapting to the consequences of climate change. Ultimately, we want to ensure the money we award has a significant long term impact and makes a big difference to the environment and the lives of people throughout Wales.’