E-Car Club has chosen an all-Renault fleet of eight 100% electric Zoe hatchbacks and two all-electric Kangoo Van ZE for its first launch in Scotland.

The organsiation is launching in St Andrews in partnership with St Andrews University and Transport Scotland.

Its fleet of 10 Renault vehicles ­will be located across the town and will be available for the public to hire on an hourly or daily basis.

Ben Fletcher, Renault UK's electric vehicle product manager, said: "This deal confirms Renault's status as a major player in the EV market.  We value the importance of electric car sharing in helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality in our towns and cities.

"Local residents and tourists alike can now take advantage of these schemes knowing they are benefiting the environment around them and saving money at the same time."

The E-Car Club represents a step towards reducing the town's carbon emissions, and towards the University of St Andrews' goal of becoming the UK's first carbon-neutral university.

The objective of the scheme is to improve local mobility, while reducing parking and congestion issues in an environmentally-friendly and affordable way. 

Hire rates in St Andrews are £4.50 per hour - or £35 per day (24 hours) - for the Zoe, and £6.50 per hour - or £50 per day - for the Kangoo Van ZE  The price includes power and insurance.

E-Car Club is the UK's first entirely electric car club, operating in multiple locations across the country with the objective of reducing the necessity for private car ownership and improving social mobility in a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way.

Chris Morris, managing director of E-Car Club, said: "St Andrews has an active sustainability agenda combined with some complex mobility needs.

"As a relatively remote community car ownership is naturally seen by many as essential, yet its historic layout and compact size have led to ever increasing congestion and parking pressure.

"E-Car is a low cost, flexible and environmentally sustainable transport option which we are confident will prove popular with the local community, university students and tourists alike."