To continue their commitment to reducing air pollution in the town centre, Bedford Borough Council in partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car have launched a Car Club service.
The Nissan Leaf EV can be rented from Riverside Car Park off Horne Lane. Residents and visitors can use the fully electric car for a few hours, a day or longer, with the aim of giving residents the option to reduce their car ownership but still have access to a vehicle when needed.
The inside of the car is coated with a substance that sanitises high touch areas for up to six months and the car is deep cleaned every 10 days.
The car can be accessed via the Car Club app or website. It takes about 10 minutes to put in your details and once you’re approved you can use the car straight away.
The app or website allows you to book the car, extend your booking, and unlock and lock the vehicle.
Once inside the car you use a code to release the keys and you’re free to drive away. Full instructions on how to charge using the electric points can also be found inside the car.
The system tracks how many miles you’ve travelled and calculates the final cost at the end of the journey. There is an introductory offer of £10 for new members before 31st January 2022, which includes a £10 driving credit.
Riverside Car Park is within easy access of the cycle unit on Horne Lane and a short walk from the bus station or railway station making it easily accessible to the residents of Bedford.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Enterprise and hear about their electric vehicle car club, a really innovative scheme taking place right here in Bedford.
“The scheme is ideal for residents who may be thinking about investing in an additional new vehicle or moving into the town centre, the car club can allow them to use a car when needed but not have the expense of owning a vehicle.
“Alongside the car club we have been working locally to make it easier for people to switch to electric, with electric charging points in our car parks including Riverside which is entirely electric or disabled parking, and installing charging points in areas where residents don’t have driveways to make electric vehicles an option for more people.
“If you are thinking of making the switch, or perhaps getting rid of your car entirely this is a great scheme to get involved with.”
Dan Gursel, Managing Director of Enterprise Car Club, said: “We are delighted to work with Bedford Borough Council to launch this service which will help reduce congestion and improve air quality by enabling people to make more sustainable travel choices.
“We are expanding Enterprise Car Club across the UK to reach communities large and small, so that people can quickly and easily pick up low emission and value for money cars when that is the best choice for their journey.”
Green Councillor, Lucy Bywater commented: We are really pleased to see a car club in Bedford at last. Some journeys can only be done by car, and this sort of scheme offers people a chance to have affordable and easy access to an electric car nearby without having to own their own car with the hassle and expense that that entails.
“The car club is an exciting development that could also make a real difference to parking problems if it is taken up by residents, and we are grateful for the Council action to get this up and running.
Cllr Lucy Bywater said “I’ve been working towards a car club in Bedford for a long time – since long before I was elected. So, it is great news that finally we are getting our first car club car in Bedford.”
Cllr Ben Foley said: “Personally I’ve been car free for a while, so I was really glad to be able to join the car club as soon as I knew it was in operation. There are occasions when I do need use of a car and the current deal of a year’s membership for just £10 certainly helped too!”
“Green councillors are, however, somewhat concerned that the first car is based in the Riverside car park by the Vue Cinema. We believe there is even more need in the streets of small terraced houses off Castle Road to the east of the town centre and in Black Tom, but we hope that this location is still close enough that people will be happy to walk from the areas where there is the most pressure on car parking space.
“We hope in time that the number of cars and choice of locations will increase as it has in other areas with car clubs, so that residents of these terraces will have car club cars closer, and the numbers of privately owned cars will be reduced as many peoples see the benefits of car clubs instead.”
Membership of Enterprise Car Club gives users access to a growing network of more than 1,400 on-street low emission, hybrid and electric vehicles at Enterprise Car Club locations in 180 cities, towns and communities across the UK.
Many Enterprise Car Club vehicles are located at transport hubs including cars parked within 500 metres of 180 railway stations.
To sign up to the Car Club, please visit www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk.
Use the promo code BEDFORD10 to receive a discounted introductory offer*.
