Enterprise takes over running of Aberdeen car club

Enterprise has been chosen to run the car club contract in Aberdeen, bringing wider links to the pay-as-you-drive facility.

The service, which launched on June 1, saw Enterprise Car Club deploying more than 30 cars across the city in designated car club bays which local businesses and members of the public will be able to book.

Members of the club book a car via an app or the internet when they need it and are charged on a pay-as-you-drive basis.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The car club provides a low cost, green, and convenient alternative to car ownership and provides members with a range of vehicles across the city including city cars, family cars, electric and hybrid vehicles.

“We welcome Enterprise as the new operator for our car club and look forward to seeing the benefits of an international vehicle hire company in the driving seat in the months ahead.”

Once signed up, customers will have access to a car club which has 1,500 cars and vans located in more than 180 UK cities, towns and communities, including cars parked within 500 metres of 180 railway stations.

Dan Gursel, managing director of Enterprise Car Club, said: “We are delighted to work with Aberdeen City Council to launch this service.

“A car club is a great alternative to meet changing travel patterns as research shows that 20% of car club members joined to make savings from not running their own car, and we know that those with their own vehicle find value in using the car club for when they need the occasional use of a second vehicle. 

“Once someone becomes a member of our car club, they have access to our complete network of vehicles, and this means they can enjoy hassle-free motoring not only in Aberdeen but also when travelling elsewhere in the UK.

“Scotland has been a leader in car club adoption, and we are delighted to build on our presence in the country.”

As part of the contract, Enterprise will also provide Aberdeen City Council employees with managed pool cars, meaning staff have access to a vehicle for work purposes without being reliant on their own. The contract will last for an initial three-year period with the option to extend for up to a further two.

Aberdeen has hosted a car club since April 2012 which, under previous supplier Co-wheels, saw it become the first car club in Scotland to introduce electric vehicles (EVs) and the first in the world to trial hydrogen vehicles.

Although no longer the main contract supplier for the City Council, Co-wheels will continue to operate car club vehicles in Aberdeen.