Harrogate gains hybrid only Co-wheels car club

Harrogate Borough Council and Co-wheels have launched an all-hybrid car share club in the Yorkshire town.

The seven Toyota Yaris and two Toyota Corolla Estates are now available in Harrogate town centre for pay-as-you-go hire around the town from 30-minutes up to full days.

The club is Co-wheels’ only one without fixed parking bays, meaning the cars can be collected and parked all around Harrogate. Each car has its own designated zone, and comes with a pass allowing parking anywhere in this area thanks to support from North Yorkshire County Council.   

When booking a car, a location map on the Co-wheels app or website shows where the nearest one is. Members are then emailed 15-minutes before the hire with the exact location of the car, which is also shown on the location map in the app.

Keys aren’t needed as members are provided with a smartcard to access the car. Members can also book cars in any of Co-wheels’ locations around the UK.

Hires in Harrogate start from £5.50 for one hour. Insurance, cleaning, servicing and refuelling are all included in the cost too. A van is also available for hire as part of the new club.

Richard Falconer, managing director of Co-wheels, said: “There’s a lot of great work going on to reduce carbon emissions in Harrogate which we are pleased to support with the launch of this new car club. We’re making it more accessible for people to have the option to hire a car when they need it rather than having to own a vehicle – it’s far cheaper and better for the environment this way.

“To celebrate the launch, we’re offering people in Harrogate £1 memberships and £40 credit to try our service.”