East Hertfordshire will benefit from a fleet of new electric vehicles, available for use through Europcar’s E-Car car sharing platform.

The vehicles will be reserved for East Herts District Council employees to use during working hours, and available to the public at all other times.

Three Renault Zoes will be based at the council’s offices and two more at The Causeway Car Park, in Bishop’s Stortford.

Graham McAndrew, executive member for environment at East Hertfordshire District Council, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer our residents an alternative to car ownership. Many people don’t need a car every day but would like to have access to a vehicle at weekends or evenings. E-Car Club allows them to enjoy the benefits of having a car, without the running and repair expense.

“These cars also have the added benefit of being electric, which will help our environment, particularly in the most polluted parts of our district.”

The cars are parked in electric-vehicle spaces prepared by East Herts District Council as part of its work to support the East Herts green travel plan to reduce single occupancy car commuting, as well as improve traffic congestion and air quality levels throughout the district.

An RFID card access system allows users to book the cars online and access them immediately.

Prices start from £6.50 per hour, or £60 for 24 hours, and include insurance.

E-Car Club is an entirely electric car club, with locations across the UK including London, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Fife.

Gary Smith, managing director of Europcar Mobility Group UK, said:  “E-Car Club is a very important part of the Europcar Mobility Group offering, giving organisations and private motorists the opportunity to drive greener.  Not only does it mean they don’t need to own their own vehicle; but they can cut their emissions too.”

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