A third of car owners who have joined a car club have got rid of at least one vehicle since joining, with more than two-thirds (68%) of those disposed cars being at least five years old, according to a new survey.
The new research of more than 4,000 Enterprise Car Club members across the UK was carried out by shared transport charity CoMoUK.
While, the study showed that half (51%) of car club users own a vehicle car club membership gave them access to a range of vehicles to fit different needs, such as a one-off need for a van to move furniture.
Almost half of vehicle owners (43%) said they use a car club because it fits their lifestyle, while around a quarter (23%) needed a back-up or second vehicle in addition to their private car. A similar number (22%) said they joined to save money on motoring costs, while 19% said they wanted to reduce their environmental footprint.
The survey also revealed that car club members are increasingly likely to use active travel – a key goal of local authorities: 30% of members said they’d reduced their journeys in a private car, 18% said they now walked more, which is higher than the national average, and 10% cycled more often.
It highlighted that a quarter (25%) of car club members had already tried an EV and nearly eight out of ten (78%) were happy with the driving and charging experience.
“Encouraging car owners to try a car club could be vital in encouraging the behaviour shift needed to achieve the UK’s decarbonisation targets,” said Dan Gursel, managing director of Enterprise Car Club.
“Expanding the number of car club vehicles can help local authorities to reduce the number of miles people travel by car and also the number of vehicles they own.
“It could be a very useful ally for those local authorities introducing low-emission or clean air zones, especially as renting from a car club is also a cost-effective and convenient way for people to try out EV motoring.
“Car clubs are helping to increase the use of EVs in the UK. A car club allows people who can’t afford to buy or lease a new electric car to drive one. They also give people who aren’t sure if an EV will suit their lifestyle the opportunity to try one.”
