eCar has launched new scheme in Northampton allowing people to hire electric cars.
Northamptonshire County Council officially launched the ‘E-car club’ earlier this week, which will give residents and visitors the opportunity to experience electric mobility first hand.
This is the latest in a number of schemes running across the UK, including one in Stratford-upon-Avon.
To sign up to the scheme, visit the eCar website or use the company’s Smartphone app. once registered users can book slots to use the car for £5.50 per hour or £45 per day. The electric vehicles can be picked up and returned to charging points in Albion Place, next to Royal & Derngate theatre.
Managing director and co-founder of E-Car, Christopher Morris, said: “We aim to improve local mobility while having a positive effect on the environment, as we have found that there is a high level of public transport use in Northampton.
“Many people spend around 20 per cent of the household income on transport costs and I think we can have a positive impact here.
“While we are currently partnered with Northamptonshire County Council, Royal & Derngate and British Gas, who will provide car maintenance, we are also in discussions with several local organisations and our target is to bring around 50 cars to Northamptonshire over the next year. I am exceptionally excited about what we can achieve here.”
There is currently an offer running till Christmas, reducing the sign-up fee from £50 to £25. Members receive an RFID card which allows access to the vehicles.
The council has priority use of one of the Nissan LEAFs during working hours but it is available to the public the rest of the time.
Councillor Michael Clarke, Northamptonshire County Council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, said: “This is an innovative scheme, which offers people a relatively cheap alternative method of transport for short journeys, and I’m delighted that the county council has played a role in implementing it in Northampton.
“The county council is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of Northamptonshire as a whole and we believe that pioneering projects such as this are key to realising this ambition. The county council is playing its part in the movement towards the replacement of conventional fuel engines with those that use power from renewable sources.”
Northampton Chronicle
