Expanding car clubs across the capital could reduce private car use, cutting congestion and pollution, the London Assembly has said.

Each car club vehicle in London takes 23.5 vehicles off the road, cutting parking and pollution issues, according to CoMoUK’s 2020 report

Pointing to CoMoUK’s 2020 London Car Club Annual Report that reveals each car club vehicle in London takes 23.5 vehicles off the road, it’s called on the Mayor to work with TfL and the London Boroughs to collaborate on expanding their use.

London Assembly member Shaun Bailey, who proposed the motion, said: “Car clubs tackle congestion, reduce demand for parking and improve air quality, but we are not doing enough to encourage them. The Mayor and Transport for London need to look again at facilitating car clubs across the capital.”

The motion was seconded by Caroline Pidgeon, who added: “By using newer and less polluting vehicles they can play a key role in reducing pollution in the capital.”

The cross-party motion, which was agreed unanimously, has now said that work needs to be carried out to assess what blocks are preventing the expansion of car clubs and to work together to remove them.

Shaun Bailey continued: “Any review should consider expanding the number of car club parking spaces, rolling out rapid charging points, and ensuring new developments have access to the service. If we can make it easier and more accessible, then more people and businesses will be able to reduce their private car use and save money, easing pollution and congestion on London’s roads.”

CoMoUK – a shared transport charity – applauded the motion as it said a focus on shared transport is crucial to help the capital meet its net zero ambitions as well as improving links across the city.

Zipcar also welcomed the support but agreed that there are a number of hurdles that need to be overcome to enable the growth of car clubs and maximise the air quality benefits that they can bring.

In recent years two car club operators have closed their London service – both have said it was down to the complex nature of operating in London.

It’s calling for a five-point action plan to be implemented by the Mayor with borough support to ensure the growth of car clubs in London:

• Create a vision for car club growth in London which aligns the growth of car clubs with other major cities.
• Support Zipcar’s vision of an all-electric car club fleet by 2025.
• More actively promote car clubs as an affordable way to comply with the ULEZ.
• Recognise the positive environmental impact that car clubs have compared to private cars and therefore introduce policies which treat car clubs differently to the private car.
• Ensure that parking policy is aligned so that EV car clubs can have the same concessions as private cars.

James Taylor, general manager, Zipcar UK, said: “We are calling on the Mayor to create a vision for the growth of car clubs in London which aligns car clubs with other cities, and to support our vision of an all-electric car club fleet by 2025 which will contribute to improving London’s air quality.”