Hackney Council have launched an electric vehicle (EV) club, allowing residents and businesses access to a car without the ongoing ownership costs.

The club, funded by over £1m from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot Fund, and EV charging operator Zest, has deployed 15 new EVs, with one more yet to be delivered, and 70 new on-street fast chargers.

Zipcar is supplying the vehicles, with Zest providing the necessary charging infrastructure upgrades.

Every ward of Hackney will gain at least one EV car club parking space, with a dedicated charger for club use, and a public access charger.

Sarah Young, cabinet member for climate, environment and transport at Hackney Council, said: “Shared electric vehicles are a win-win: they reduce air pollution and support equity for residents by adding to the affordable transport options, and support people who want to live car-free. This pilot is an important step in making sustainable transport the easy choice in Hackney.”

Hackney already has a considerable fleet of car club vehicles, with an aim to reach 300 vehicles by next year, with at least 50% of those being EVs.

The borough is hoping this scheme will help meet its 2041 target of reducing the number of cars on its streets by 25%, as residents who need occasional access to a car can utilise the club’s vehicles.

One year’s free membership will be offered to local businesses, through Zipcar’s partnership with Zero Emissions Network.

Lilian Greenwood, minister for the for the future of roads, said: “Hackney’s new electric car club pilot – supported by our Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure pilot fund – is a brilliant initiative that provides residents with the comfort and flexibility of easily renting a car – whilst being zero emission and helping roll out new fast-chargers across the borough.”