ABOUT POD
Since April, a group of current Hour Car members have been working on the creation of POD. It is still early days, but we are hopeful that this new organisation will offer a long-term, economically and environmentally sustainable car share scheme, and be an economic alternative to private car ownership!
The fleet will initially consist of four cars, located in Todmorden and in Hebden Bridge. Each location will offer one fully electric and one hybrid vehicle.
Our goal is to increase our electric fleet as we learn through this initial pilot stage what it takes to provide and maintain electric vehicles as a car share scheme and within a rural environment.
To keep up-to-date with how this new scheme is developing and to hear more on membership options once available, please sign-up to our newsletter.
We intend to partner with social enterprise Co Wheels, who will provide the technology to manage our scheme for increased accessibility and with greater efficiency. With an automated sign-up process, smartcard vehicle access and automated billing, becoming a member and understanding journey costs will be hugely simplified.
Partnering with Co Wheels will provide our members with access to hundreds of cars across the UK network.
WHY CAR SHARE?
Joining a local car share scheme is cheaper for you and kinder to our environment.
(data source: CoMoUK Car Club Annual Report UK 2023
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Like many people, I was only using my car two or three times a week. So it feels really good to have been able to get rid of my car and just book one when I need it. I’m saving a shed load of money at the same time as doing my bit for the environment. It’s a great scheme for anyone like me wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
I joined Hour Car when I first moved to Todmorden as the cost of living crisis was hitting and I couldn’t justify paying to run a car by myself. Joining Hour Car allowed me to keep doing the things I needed a car for while saving myself more than £1000 a year.
I work from home most of the time so don’t need to travel by car very often. But when I do – to see family, for days out or for trips to the garden centre or IKEA – being in a Car Club has been a massive help. It’s great to know it’s reducing the number of cars on the road as well.
I joined Hour Car when my partner took a temporary job away with our car. Buying a second car felt like an eco-crime, especially as I only need it once or twice a month. Hour Car has worked brilliantly – there has always been a car available when I needed it – something I’d been worried about before joining.