The Shetland Car Club is continuing to grow – with new electric vehicles, a new website and branding.
The car club now features two six-seater electric vans, with the fleet totalling 10 vehicles. The Shetland Islands Council trial is open to everyone across Shetland for both private and business use. Cars and vans are stationed throughout Mainland Shetland to provide flexible, affordable and short-term vehicle hires. Bookings can be made from as little as 30 minutes.
The scheme started in April last year as a joint project led by the Council and operated by Enterprise Car Club. It is part of the Council’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions both for its own staff and operations, as well as helping the community.
The car club can help people access a car or cut down on the need for a second vehicle. They can also be used for things like a house move, trip to the dump or for community groups and sports clubs to transport equipment. The electric combi vans are funded by UK Government agency Innovate UK. They are stationed in Lerwick and will be moved to dedicated charge points at the Rural Energy Hub in Brae and at Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick.
People can access the vehicles by signing up as a car club member. They can then access a hire vehicle 24/7 on a first come first served basis through the Enterprise Car Club app. Driving credit is also being offered for new and existing members to encourage the community to try the scheme.
Councillor Moraig Lyall is chair of the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee. She says: “The car club has lots of benefits. It can help remove some of the barriers to accessing a vehicle. With the flexibility it offers, hopefully it might encourage households to think they can manage with just one car rather than two.
“We’ve seen a good uptake of the scheme within the Council and it would be great for people in the community to make use of these vehicles. Two electric vans now form part of the fleet, providing the chance to reduce emissions and we’ll look to increase the number of electric vehicles in future.”
To find out more visit www.shetlandcarclub.com