U.K. Car-Sharing Club Growing Renault Zoe EV Fleet

An independently owned U.K. national car-sharing club is expanding its operation to more than 50 locations using a 20-strong fleet of Renault Zoe all-electric vehicles.

Co-wheels has introduced the Zoe to a number of sites in Scotland this year, the most recent Aberdeen, Dumfries and Dundee. The club provides low-emissions hybrid and electric cars on a pay-as-you-go basis for organizations and communities.

The club says it chose the Zoe over other EVs because the 5-door hatchback is easy to use and ideal for members who have never driven an electric car.

All of the club’s Zoe models have been bought outright or funded through government grants.

Co-wheels customers can hire a Zoe for £3.75 ($5.73) an hour or £22.50 ($34.40) for 24 hours. As part of the club’s drive to encourage EV use, Co-wheels does not make an additional charge for mileage.

Co-wheels Director Pierre Fox says response to the Zoe has been excellent. He says it is the perfect vehicle for car sharing, as 90% of customers’ journeys are local.

“We aim to help our members save money, reduce car ownership and create a cleaner environment by making lower-impact transport options available,” Fox says in a statement, “and because we have received grants for some of the cars, we are able to pass this saving on to our customers.

“Everyone who has driven one of our Zoes has been very positive about the experience.”

The Zoe is available in three trim levels with a starting price of £13,445 ($20,563) after a U.K. government plug-in car grant. Items such as climate control and satellite navigation are standard.

The EV’s Chameleon charger allows charging from zero to 80% full in 30 minutes. Renault estimates its driving range in real-world conditions is 106 miles (170 km) in summer and 71 miles (114 km) in winter.

In a U.K. electric-car market up 54.5% through September, sales of Renault EVs in the region were up 92.4% to 1,316 units.