Electric cars are cheap to run. In fact at the moment they’re to run – unless you charge them up at home from your own grid supply. But let’s face it, they are expensive to buy. So this is why, in urban areas at least, the use-it-when-you-need-it or hire-by-the-hour option is becoming more popular.
Pioneered in the UK – and in Hertfordshire no less – a recent start-up company (E-Car Club, 29 Shand Street, London SE1 2ES info@e-carclub.org) is offering electric motoring from as little as £4.50 an hour. The scheme is supported by the University of Hertfordshire (who has already given the county the popular and efficient Uno Bus Company). Two models of car are available, the Renault Zoe (2-door) and the Nissan Leaf (4-door) as well as the Renault Kangoo van.
Access to the use of the cars is via a Joining Fee of £50. Car Hire is then £5.50, £6.50 or £7.50 per hour (£45, £50 or 60 a day). More frequent users also join a £50 but pay £15 a month in exchange for reduced rates of £4.50, £5.50 or £6.50 pe hour (£35, £45 or £50 a day). There is no charge for the electricity used.
Existing Local Access & Charging Points are at:
Hemel Hempstead; at Maylands Business Park, Wood Lane End (Renault Zoe)
Watford (supported by Watford Borough Council); at Watford Town Hall (Renault Zoe) and at Avenue Car Park (Renault Zoe)
Hatfield (supported by University of Hertfordshire); at Dehavilland Campus (2 x Renault Zoe), at Innovation House (Nissan Leaf), at Forum Car Park (1 x Nissan Leaf and 1 x Renault Zoe)
Wolverton (supported by Northants County Council); at Railcare Car Park (Nissan Leaf) and Foundation House Car Park (Nissan Leaf)
Other Access & Charging Points are at:
Kettering, Poplar, Hackney, Harbury (Warks) and Stratford-on-Avon (at Church Street, Bridgefoot and Parkway)
The Next Planned Access & Charging Points will be at:
Bournemouth and Peckham