Car sharing
Car sharing is seen as a sustainable method of transport because it reduces the number of vehicles on the roads and lowers emissions.
There are two main forms of car sharing: carpooling and car rental.
Carpooling
Carpooling is where multiple people travel in a single vehicle for work, leisure or other journeys. It can occur informally between friends/colleagues or be arranged with users of a carpooling scheme.
Why carpool?
- Save money - fuel and parking costs can be split between travellers
- Less traffic on the roads saves time when travelling and improves air quality
- The opportunity to build connections with others makes travel more sociable
- It offers a practical option to reduce your carbon footprint
West Sussex Carshare scheme
West Sussex County Council have partnered with LiftShare to create a free network that allows people who live and work in the area to connect for car sharing.
Find your match with West Sussex Carshare
easitHORSHAM
Available for Horsham District businesses is the easitHORSHAM travel network. Joining will give your employees access to travel benefits including use of the easitSHARE – a tool that facilitates carpooling journeys between internal employees or employees of other local businesses who have also signed up.
Car rental
Renting a car gives you the freedom to move, but without the expenses of owning one. Rather than spending thousands of pounds a year to run and maintain a vehicle, instead a car can be rented as needed for an hourly or daily fee.
There are multiple options to rent a car, including by joining a car club or using peer-to-peer car sharing services.
Car Clubs
What is a car club?
A car club is an organisation that owns one or more cars for its members to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. The club takes membership fees and hire rates to cover the costs of running the vehicles, such as insurance and servicing.
Why join a car club?
- A CoMoUK survey found 73% agreed that car club membership saved them money compared to owning a car.
- It could eliminate the need to own multiple cars that otherwise depreciate in value when sitting in a driveway.
- Affordable access to using electric vehicles. You can learn how to drive electric and seeing how you like it before purchasing for yourself.
- Less vehicles on the road means reduced traffic and congestion in the local area.
- Access to specialist vehicles that provide mobility for disabled people.
Henfield Electric Community Car Club
The local people of Henfield and Community Transport Sussex have joined together to launch Sussex’s first electric vehicle community car club.
This independent entity aims to provide a practical, zero-emission alternative to using petrol and diesel vehicles. They also serve members who find it difficult to access public transport by way of mobility, or simply living in area with poor transport links.
Membership subscription is £5 per month.
Vehicle hire charges are £6 per hour (8 hours max) or £54 per day.
For new membership enquiries please email henfield@Heccc.org.uk
For more information and to become part of this growing community visit the Facebook page.
Co-Wheels
Co-Wheels are a community interest car club operator that provide a smart alternative to car ownership.
They have pay as you go vehicles to hire in Horsham that are available to Co-Wheels members. Insurance, cleaning, servicing and refuelling is all covered in the pricing of hire - you just book a car when you need one, and drive away!
Starting your own car club
A car club can be a significant sustainable asset for your community. Successful operation will require:
- Surveying the travel needs of the people in your area
- Generating capital investment
- Maintaining and insuring a fleet of vehicles
- Running accounts and a booking system
- Recruiting and managing volunteers
- Engaging the community and attracting members
If you are interested in starting a car club in your area then please email the Sustainability Team via climatechangeaction@horsham.gov.uk. We will be able to offer advice, resources and provide connections to knowledgeable contacts.
Peer-to-peer car sharing
There are websites that facilitate affordable hire of vehicles from local residents in your neighbourhood.
Renters search for a car that they book online. After paying an hourly rate they return the vehicle with the same level of fuel back to the owner.