Exciting news for Royal Greenwich residents. Starting 5 Feb, residents will gain access to more affordable vehicles, thanks to the expansion of Car clubs with two leading providers; Hiyacar and Zipcar.

This means that residents who need to use a car occasionally can without the upfront cost of owning a car. Six Hiyacar vehicles will be stationed at locations across the borough, including Mauritius Road, Maxey Road, Claremont Street, Humber Road, Polytechnic Street, and Roper Street.

Hiyacar operate a flexible car club parking model where their cars can be parked within an area and not just one bay designated on street for a car club. The cars are geo fenced, which means it tells drivers where they can park within an area.

Zipcar will be adding up to 15 additional vehicles to the borough. There vehicles use dedicated car club bays, ensuring you can find your booked vehicle exactly where you expect it. This model offers residents the confidence and peace of mind knowing exactly where the vehicle will be.

Car clubs not only help with climate change and air quality as the vehicles meet low-emission and ultra-low emission standards but also the cost-of-living; CoMoUK estimates that car club users who drive less than 6-8,000 miles per year could save up to £3,500 a year, compared to owning and running their own car.

Cllr Averil Lekau, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “ Part of Our Greenwich mission is to we make it is easier, safer and greener for people to move around the borough and the rest of London. Hiyacar and Zipcar club will give more residents the opportunity to go car free, but still have the option to drive when they need it.

“Increasing access to car clubs in the borough can also reduce the need offor car ownership. Research shows members of a car club are more likely to make other journeys by walking, cycling and public transport

“These vehicles have lower emissions compared to most privately owned cars; research shows that each car club takes about 29 private cars off the road; helping us to work in line with our Transport strategy to reduce car dependency in the borough and help with our commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.”

Eleonore Kuentz, Chief Operating Officer at Hiyacar, said: “We are delighted to be amongst the car clubs set to operate in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Embracing car sharing stands out as one of the most impactful strategies for decarbonising transportation. In the face of the current climate emergency, it becomes imperative to explore avenues that will lead to a reduction in car ownership throughout our city.”

James Taylor, General Manager Zipcar UK, said: Zipcar is thrilled to be making more of our vehicles available on-street for residents and businesses in Greenwich.

We’re delighted that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has recognised the role that car clubs can play in helping the borough meet its net zero carbon emissions target, by expanding the number of car clubs in the borough. Car clubs provide an accessible and affordable alternative to private car ownership and Zipcar looks forward to working with the borough and the other car club operators to help more people make the switch to more sustainable modes of transport.”

For more information on how to join car club, visit: royalgreenwich.gov.uk/carclub

Royal Greenwich’s priorities and environmental goals are set out in Our Greenwich, the Carbon Neutral Plan and the Transport Strategy. The Council’s key missions include ensuring that Greenwich plays an active role in tackling the climate crisis and improving environmental sustainability, making travelling around the borough easier, safer and greener, and to enabling people’s health to support them in living their best lives.