The Many Benefits of Car-Sharing Clubs
Car-sharing clubs are changing the way we think about transport. Instead of owning a car and bearing all the costs on your own, you can join a car-sharing club and access vehicles only when you need them.
It’s a smart, flexible and friendlier way to get around, and the benefits reach far beyond just avoiding the headache of finding a parking spot. Here’s a closer look at why more and more people are choosing car-sharing clubs and what members stand to gain.
Co-Wheels (a social enterprise) offer modern hybrid cars nationwide that you rent by the hour. It pays for the car, maintenance, cleaning, road tax, insurance and even pre-paid fuel & breakdown cards – you just pay extra if you drive a long way.
If you don’t mind lift-sharing, you can list your profile, then look for people to share journeys with. In most cases, insurance is not affected (as long as no profit is made).
Read tips to keep safe (including not sharing your full name and address before meeting in a public place, letting others know where and when you are going).
Save Money on Motoring
Joining a car-sharing club removes the big costs of car ownership. You don’t have to budget for annual insurance, road tax, MOTs or regular servicing. The club handles these.
You only pay for the time and distance you use, making it an affordable option for anyone who drives less than a few times a week.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Car-sharing clubs help cut pollution and congestion. Fewer people owning cars means fewer cars on the road, which leads to lower carbon emissions and less crowded streets.
Many clubs offer hybrid or electric vehicles, which are far cleaner than petrol or diesel cars. If you care about the environment, joining a car-sharing club is an easy step towards greener living.
Enjoy Flexibility and Freedom
With car-sharing, you pick the car you need, when you need it. Different trips call for different vehicles—a small hatchback for daily errands or a large estate for a family day out. You’re not stuck with one car for every job.
Cars can be booked instantly via an app, available for anything from an hour to a whole weekend. No need to plan weeks ahead or stress over long-term hire contracts.
No Maintenance Hassles
Forget about breakdowns, flat tyres or routine servicing appointments. Car-sharing clubs take care of all vehicle maintenance.
If a car isn’t running right, you just report it and use another one. That takes a load off your mind and saves time you’d otherwise spend organising repairs.
Cut Down on Parking Problems
Parking fees and permits are a major headache in cities. Most car-sharing clubs have reserved bays in convenient locations.
You can collect and return cars there without searching for a space. This makes trips into town or to busy events much less stressful.
More Space at Home
If you don’t own a car, you free up valuable space. No more fighting for a spot in a crammed street or squeezing your car into a tiny drive.
For many, this means an extra parking space or even a clutter-free front garden. It also means you can rent or buy your favourite place, without worrying about needing a parking space or garage.
Easier Occasional Access to Cars
If you usually walk, cycle or use public transport, car-sharing gives you easy access to a vehicle when you really need one.
It’s perfect for those IKEA runs, camping trips or airport drop-offs that public transport can’t handle. You get the best of both worlds—a car when you need it, no costs when you don’t.
Try Newer Cars and Features
Car-sharing clubs keep their fleets up to date, so you’ll often find clean, modern cars with the latest safety features and tech.
You get to drive well-maintained vehicles without the commitment of buying one. This can make drives safer and more comfortable.
Reduce Traffic and Congestion
Studies show that each shared car can replace up to 10 privately owned cars. When people have access to shared vehicles, they usually drive less and combine trips.
This helps ease congestion in busy areas, making roads safer and more pleasant for everyone.
Support Local Communities
Car-sharing clubs often work with councils or local groups to improve access to cars in areas with fewer transport options.
They help people who can’t afford to buy and run their own car while also reducing parking pressure and pollution in crowded neighbourhoods.
Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing
Peer-to-peer car-sharing is when one person shares their car with others, without need for a company to run an official fleet. Usually you do this with a company who can take care of all the legal details.
Hiyacar is the main player in this niche. Insurance costs are covered in the price, so members on subscription get lower rates, and a higher mileage allowance. It operates in many towns and cities, with vehicles from electric cars to convertibles and 7-seaters.
Some car owners (who are fully vetted) are earning around £650 a month, when their car may sit on the drive all day, when they are not working (or at work). Members who lease cars also benefit from AA Breakdown Cover and discounted services at Kwikfit.
The company uses a unique quick-start system, so people can unlock your car using an app. These are deleted after each hire.
People in the community can also ‘adopt a Hiyacar. For less than a tenner a month, it will put one of its cars on your street, and refund the cost of parking permits. Then the car is there for all members to book. Businesses can also get involved to hire a fleet car.
All cars are regularly cleaned by the in-house team, using waterless products. This is good, as water-based car washes tend to send untreated oily water down drains, and out to sea.
