The number of active car club members in the UK almost doubled last year, helping to reduce congestion on our roads and carbon emissions.

The UK’s active membership – those who joined, renewed or used a car club vehicle in the past 12 months – reached 450,231 in 2021; up 96%

A new report from the national shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) found the UK’s active membership – those who joined, renewed or used a car club vehicle in the past 12 months – reached 450,231 in 2021; up 96%.

The research also estimates that 20 private cars were replaced by each vehicle in the UK’s 5,806-strong car club fleet last year, and that more than 116,000 have been taken off the road by currently active members.

This has helped cut emissions and congestion, improve air quality and create more space.

The report says emissions from car club vehicles are 27% lower than the average UK car, and 12% of car club vehicles in the UK are electric – compared to only 1% of privately owned cars – helping to meet climate change targets.

The charity also highlighted benefits to car club members, including saving money and increased use of active travel as a result of getting rid of a car.

A survey of car club members in the UK showed 73% of respondents agreed that membership had saved them money compared to owning a car. It also found that 61% used public transport and 37% cycled at least once a week, while 16% of members said they would have bought a car if they had not joined the car club.

Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said that the UK must harness the full potential of car clubs and shared transport if the UK is to meet its climate change targets.

“Car clubs replace privately-owned cars with fewer and more efficient vehicles, which are easy and affordable to access 24/7 while boosting use of public transport and walking and cycling.

“Motorists can save thousands of pounds a year by not owning a car, and our survey shows this also results in them engaging in a more active lifestyle through walking and cycling.

“These schemes, along with other shared transport modes like bike and ride sharing, have the potential to dramatically reduce congestion on our roads and carbon emissions.”

CoMoUK’s Car Club Annual Report UK 2021 can be found here.