Car clubs’ use rises and takes 10,000 off our roads

MEMBERSHIP of car clubs in Scotland has seen nearly 10,000 privately owned vehicles taken off the roads, a report has revealed.

Research by the Collaborative Mobility transport charity showed 37,993 people north of the Border were members of car clubs in 2021 – up by almost a quarter (24%) since 2020.

Car clubs allow members to use vehicles through pay-per-use and save money on the cost of running a car.

Collaborative Mobility’s Car Club Annual Report estimates 17 private cars were replaced by each vehicle in Scotland’s 567-strong car club fleet, and that nearly 10,000 have been taken off the road by currently active members.

A survey showed 73% of respondents in Scotland agreed membership had saved them money.

The charity also said car clubs cut carbon emissions and congestion as it provides members access to cleaner vehicles.

Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth welcomed the report. She said: “Car clubs are going from strength to strength in Scotland and have the potential to reduce reliance on private cars and ownership, reducing inequalities and helping to protect our climate.

“When considering our world-leading commitment to reduce car kilometres travelled by 20% by 2030, car clubs can play a role – in combination with other interventions to support sustainable travel, as set out in our route map.”

Rachael Murphy, Scotland director of Collaborative Mobility UK, said: “Car clubs replace privately-owned cars with fewer and more efficient vehicles, which are easy and affordable to access 24/7. Motorists can save thousands of pounds a year .”