A long road ahead': could community car-sharing help UK hit climate targets?

"With funding from Motability and Harborough district council, they launched Tilton's electric car club in 2023. For a monthly fee it gives residents access to two electric vehicles (EVs) that can be hired by the hour or by the day. It also provides local volunteer drivers so residents who can no longer drive can still use the service."

"Although there were plenty of cars parked in Tilton, too often she found some of the village's residents did not have access to one when they really needed it. Whether because of ill health, meaning they could no longer drive, or because at times there was a need for more than one vehicle per household, there was a problem, said Stoate."

"You can see the difference it has made to the community,' says car club volunteer Miriam Stoate. 'It's been great. You can see the difference it has made to the community, not just in getting people better access to viable transport, but also helping people get to know each other more. People who would not necessarily have met previously are now friends."

"Transport is the UK's largest source of carbon emissions, with surface transport responsible for about 25% of the annual total. Efforts to rein in emissions have failed to keep pace with other sectors, and faster progre"

After the Covid pandemic, residents in Tilton, rural Leicestershire, struggled to access cars when needed due to ill health, loss of driving ability, or household demand for more than one vehicle. Green Fox Community Energy connected with Miriam Stoate and volunteers to address the gap. With funding from Motability and Harborough district council, Tilton’s electric car club began in 2023. Residents pay a monthly fee for access to two electric vehicles that can be hired by the hour or by the day. Volunteer drivers support residents who can no longer drive, enabling continued access to transport. The service improved mobility and helped residents meet and form friendships, while contributing to broader efforts to reduce transport-related carbon emissions.

Read at www.theguardian.com