A local authority has revealed it will roll out a new car scheme throughout the borough, hoping to help thousands of drivers access cars.
Hackney Council has partnered with car club operators Zipcar and Zest Charging to offer 15 new electric vehicles with fast on-street fast chargers to drivers.
Car clubs are short-term car rental services that allow drivers to access locally parked cars and pay by the minute, hour or day.
The vehicle schemes have been growing in popularity across London, with Hackney being the latest borough to take part.
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Hackney Council will introduce 15 new electric car clubs into the borough
HACKNEY COUNCIL
The pilot follows more than £1million in combined funding from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot Fund and EV charging operator Zest.
The move hopes to ensure residents can access vehicles when needed without the costs or environmental impacts of owning one in London.
Under the pilot, the council will introduce 70 new on-street fast charging sockets will be installed in 35 different locations across the borough.
Each location will include two parking bays, with one being for public EV charging and one for electric car club use, the authority explained.
The project also supports Hackney’s goal of reducing car ownership and meeting its 2026 target of having 300 car club vehicles in the borough, with at least 50 per cent of these being EVs.
Car clubs can help reduce the number of vehicles on the roadGETTYThe scheme also aligns with the UK Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires all new car sales to be electric by 2030, with at least 28 per cent electric by this year.
By 2041, Hackney said it aims to cut the number of cars on its streets by 25 per cent in a bid to improve air quality and make space for walking, cycling, and public life.
Sarah Young, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, said: "I am really pleased that we’re offering residents inclusive, affordable access to electric vehicles, which will get people used to driving and charging them.
"Shared electric vehicles are a win-win: they reduce air pollution and support equity for residents by adding to the affordable transport options, and support people who want to live car-free.
"This pilot is an important step in making sustainable transport the easy choice in Hackney."
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James Taylor, General Manager, Zipcar UK, added: "We are delighted to be trialling Zipcar UK's very first dedicated in-bay charging for shared electric cars with Hackney Council and Zest.
"Moving to electric vehicles is a crucial part of our long-term strategy, and vital for the health of our city and our planet.
"We’re looking forward to enabling members and Hackney residents to be part of this positive change."
According to CoMoUK research, each car club vehicle replaces 29 privately owned cars on London's streets, which can help reduce harmful emissions.
Richard Falconer, Co-Founder of Co Wheels Car Club, stated that car clubs do not compete with but complement both public transport and active travel.
He said: "Car clubs break the link with private car ownership by showing the true cost of each journey, allowing users to make more informed decisions about their travel options."
Car clubs could help drivers give up their petrol and diesel cars
GETTYMinister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, added: "Hackney’s new electric car club pilot is a brilliant initiative that provides residents with the comfort and flexibility of easily renting a car while being zero emission and helping roll out new fast chargers across the borough.
"This comes as this Government is providing £2.3billion to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to EVs, delivering our Plan for Change by driving investment and creating jobs to put money in people’s pockets and secure our future."
