The nine electric ZOE superminis and one Kangoo Van Z.E. are available to hire on an hourly or daily basis from a number of locations across the town of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

The vehicles have been introduced into the region through a partnership between E-Car Club and the wind farm operators and are powered almost entirely by renewable energy as a new six-turbine wind farm opens at the Pentland Road Wind Farm. 

The firms said the joint venture “brings affordable, zero carbon transport to the area and underlines the suitability of electric vehicles in rural as well as urban environments”.

Nearly 700 households in the Newvalley, Guershader and Laxdale Lane, Sheshader, Knock and Swordale, and Stornoway General communities will also receive 50% of the biannual lease payments made by Pentland Road Windfarm to the Stornoway Trust as landlord, while there will also be agreed annual payments to the Western Isles Development Trust.

Chris Morris, managing director of E-Car Club, said: “This an exceptionally exciting project combining shared e-mobility with renewable power generation in what is undoubtedly a landmark sustainable transport project both in Scotland and around the world.”

“The Islands are a perfect fit for electric car sharing with a community who are already committed to a sustainable lifestyle and current car use limited to relatively short journeys and a frequency which does not always justify private ownership.”

Those living in or visiting the Outer Hebrides will be able hire one of the Renault ZOEs from E-Car Club for only £5.50 per hour or £45 per day (24 hours). Power and insurance are both included in the price. The Kangoo panel van is available for £7.50 per hour or £60 per day.