Energy Rethinking - use less save more

When they first came on the scene, car clubs – where users join a group to share a pay-per-use car- seemed like the perfect energy efficient and money-saving solution for short urban journeys – trips to the supermarket, for example.

Yet some people have avoided joining car clubs because of their misconceptions about what’s involved and how they work.

Amy Clancy, spokesperson for Carplus, a sustainable transport NGO, sets out to demolish the five most common myths about car clubs.

Myth 1 -  Car club vehicles are no more environmentally friendly than private cars

Fact – Although some car club vehicles are electric, most still produce some emissions. However, compared to average car emissions car club vehicles are 33% more efficient in terms of Co2 emissions per kilometre.

Car club membership allows members to give up their own car or defer purchasing a new one, resulting in fewer cars on the road – each car club vehicle replaces 25 private cars.

In addition, car clubs make members trip-savvy. By having the freedom to choose the most appropriate mode for each trip members take fewer trips by car. As a result members typically emit only 25% of the carbon emissions generated by the average licence holder.

Myth 2 – If membership grows, members won’t be able to get a car when they need one

Fact – A common concern for new members is that a car won’t be available when they need one. Members can book cars from months to minutes in advance. Around half car club trips are booked on the day they’re made. Usage is monitored very closely and as it increases more cars are added. Members have access to all the vehicles in the fleet, so if a car is already booked, another will be available nearby.

Myth 3 – You can’t be a member if you’re under 21 or have points on your licence

Fact – If you are between 19 and 21 and have held a valid driving licence for either 12 or 24 months (depending on the operator) you can be a car club member.

The number and nature of any accidents and offences you may have clocked up will be taken into consideration when you apply for membership, but will not automatically make you ineligible for membership.

Myth 4 – You can only be a member of one car club

Fact – Perhaps you need a greater choice of locations or car types? Well, joining more than one club breaks no rules. In fact, if you already have a membership with one club, many others let you join theirs free of charge. Also, some community clubs are members of the Car Club Family, which means that membership of one club immediately entitles you to access the cars of any clubs in the Family.

Myth 5 – Car clubs aren’t pet friendly

Fact – It is true that car clubs do not welcome paw prints on their pristine interiors or fur on the floor, but each operator has a different pet policy. While all will charge if any ‘residue’ is left by your furry friends certain operators are happy for pets to be transported wherever you choose to go, so long as they are in a locked pet carrier. Assistance animals are an exception. They don’t require a carrier.

Carplus – rethinking car use

Carplus is the sustainable transport NGO promoting alternatives to car ownership through car clubs and car-sharing schemes. Carplus provides a range of resources and information for members of the public, and works to support affordable, accessible and low carbon transport with car club operators, public authorities and businesses as well as a wide range of other stakeholders throughout Britain

Search the Carplus interactive car club map, calculate the savings you could make or simply find out more at www.carplus.org.uk