Car Club comes to Bedford

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 rent 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 6 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."

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.