Pay-as-you-go electric cars are to be launched in Warrington town centre next month, with residents able to hire the vehicles for as long as they wish.
The Warrington Car Club aims to help promote sustainable modes of transport while the population of the town centre is expanding, reports Cheshire Live. With more flats and apartments being built, many without designated car park spaces, the scheme aims to cater to their need for transport by providing an eco-friendly alternative to privately-owned cars.
The car club, commissioned by Warrington Council and managed by Co Wheels, is part of the local authority's wider plan to encourage walking, cycling, public transport use and eco-driving. Two MG ZS Electric Vehicles will be parked at Time Square Car Park, with more being added in different locations if the scheme is popular. The scheme is due to launch in April.
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Use is priced at £6.50 per hour, or £52 per day, or £0.05 per mile. According to Co Wheels, members simply have to find a car nearby using an app, book it for the date and time required, swipe a card to drive the car, then pay for use after the car is returned. The Car Club aims to save members up to £1,000 in motoring costs per year. Research by Co Wheels has shown that car clubs have drastically reduced car dependence.
On average, each club removed 10 to 15 privately owned cars from the roads. The scheme also encourages more members to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Warrington Council’s cabinet member for transport, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: "The launch of this new scheme is good news for Warrington town centre, supporting our wider work to reduce car dependency and provide new, sustainable transport options for local people.
"Through the Warrington Car Club, we want to provide a low-cost, viable alternative to car ownership for people living in the town centre - particularly those who own vehicles which are only being used occasionally. This, in turn, will help reduce urban congestion and lower carbon emissions.
"This scheme fits in very well with our ambitions – through our Local Transport Plan - to transform how people travel around Warrington, creating a better connected place where our town centre streets are safer, less car-oriented and more appealing for cyclists and pedestrians."
Richard Falconer, head of locations and commercial development at Co Wheels, said: "Car clubs give residents the convenience of owning a car, with none of the hassle. Most cars spend 97 per cent of the day in a garage, on a driveway or in a car park, so having the option to hire a car for those times when you can’t use public transport or walk make it both affordable and greenest way to travel. Joining the car club in Warrington is a cost effective and realistic alternative that you can start using today."
