Transport for LondonCar scheme is king of clubs
For many Londoners, especially those with a young family, owning a vehicle is seen as an expensive necessity.
But in recent years a cheaper, greener alternative has struck a chord in the Capital - the car club.
There are more than 2,500 car club vehicles in the city with 46 per cent of Londoners able to reach a vehicle in five minutes or less - and numbers are set to increase.
Here are three reasons why they've caught on:
It's quick and easy
Become a member and book online or by phone, weeks ahead or with just a few minutes notice, for anything from an hour to a weekend.
Find a car in your neighbourhood, parked in a designated parking bay.
It is clean and ready to go.
All you have to do is swipe your smart card, get the keys, and off you go.
A car can be booked from as little as £5 an hour.
When you've finished just return it to the same location.
Payment is taken from your account and the details are sent by email or text message.
Saves time and money
Car clubs charge only for the time you use the car (not when it is parked).
Drive fewer than 6,000 miles per year, and joining a club could save you up to £3,500 a year.
Many families would not need their second vehicle if they could sometimes hire one for an hour or two.
There is also the added bonus of easy access without the costs of ownership (depreciation, insurance, tax, servicing and repairs).
The green factor
The more people share vehicles through clubs the likelihood is that fewer will be manufactured and on the road.
Also, the vehicles used in the clubs are often newer, more energy-efficient models, capable of emitting significantly less carbon dioxide than older cars.
Added to this, compared with the average motorist, car club users can expect to reduce their mileage by up to 62 per cent.
To find out more, and for details of car clubs in your area, visit tfl.gov.uk/carclubs
