NEWS | Car club aims to drive down emissions in Herefordshire

According to a tweet from COP26 this week, road transport accounts for 17 per cent of global emissions. Even more worrying is the fact that these emissions are rising faster than those in other sectors.

Sharing one car among a group of drivers is just one of the measures that could help put those emissions into reverse gear.

With this in mind, we are pleased to announce the success of the community car clubs we are supporting through funding from the government’s COVID recovery grant.

We awarded Malvern Hills Car Club a grant of £46,000 in September this year to help other community car clubs get started. So far, three new clubs have been set up in Kington, Fownhope and Leominster; the last of which has already purchased a vehicle for its members to use.

Clancy Wilson, the car manager at Leominster Car Share, says:

“We are extremely fortunate to have been taken under the wing of the experienced Malvern Hills Car Club who have helped us with the ‘nuts and bolts’, including a ready-made online booking system.

“Our aim is to provide transport options for low-mileage drivers who feel they do not need to own a private car or suffer the expense of keeping a vehicle on the road. 

“Judging by the experience of our Malvern colleagues, the initiative will also enable some local households to dispense with the need for a second car.”

Robin Coates from Malvern Hills Car Clubs adds:

“Great news that a grant from Herefordshire Council has enabled us to start three car sharing clubs in the last quarter of 2021 and hopefully there will be more. There are so many good reasons why people join but they all save on their carbon footprint.”

Cllr Ellie Chowns adds:

“Community car clubs are a brilliant way to help reduce emissions and reduce the cost of travel too. Car clubs mean each car is used much more efficiently. I got rid of my family car nearly two years ago and instead joined my local car club – and it’s brilliant! Because we’re a club, we’ve been able to afford to get three electric vehicles, reducing our emissions even further. I’d recommend joining a car club to anyone. And if there isn’t one in your local area, why not get together with your neighbours to set one up? Get in touch with the council if you’d like to know more about setting up a community car club in your local area.”

For more information on local car clubs, visit: Malvern Hills Car Clubs

Leominster Car Share can be reached by email: carshareleominster@gmail.com