| It used to be that the phrase "car club" referred | | | | Car clubs have seen a dramatic rise recently with |
| to that group of enthusiastic mini owners who | | | | growing social eagerness to become more energy |
| meet in the Tesco car park once a month. | | | | efficient and to cut car ownership costs as well. |
| Today, in the UK at least, car clubs now refer to | | | | They succeed in the former by offering more |
| a rising means for families and infrequent car | | | | energy efficient vehicles such as Citroens and |
| users to ease the burden of running costs such | | | | Honda Civic Hybrids to drivers who typically might |
| as car insurance and tax by finally being rid of the | | | | not be able to afford such new clean cars. |
| vehicle that sits on the drive all day. | | | | Increased accessibility via internet booking |
| Car clubs are not an altogether new phenomena. | | | | systems has also seen car clubs become even |
| One of the earliest organizations is said to have | | | | more popular. |
| began in Zurich in 1948 although little is written of | | | | However, it is certainly the cost of having an |
| its success. Later, a pioneering project entitled | | | | infrequently used car that is an attraction of the |
| Witkar began in Amsterdam in the late 60s, | | | | car club. Not only will customers soon see the |
| utilizing electric vehicles and an electronic | | | | benefit of less insurance and tax costs, but they |
| reservation system - the concept still sounds | | | | will also find that they can save on maintenance |
| futuristic today. | | | | costs too. However, it must be acknowledged |
| In the mid-90s car clubs began to pop up in cities | | | | that if an arranged return time is not met, then |
| across the world and today they bear many | | | | the car club company is liable to charge a |
| similarities to that which was established by | | | | significant penalty. |
| Witkar. For example, companies such as Whizzgo | | | | Alongside ordering insurance online and car sharing |
| leave their vehicles around the city, their users | | | | to work, car clubs are another method for |
| unlock the door by scanning a membership card | | | | families to save on transport costs, and they can |
| against a sensor, and then type in a pin to | | | | also lessen their carbon footprint in the process. |
| retrieve the keys from the glove compartment. | | | | However, the question remains as to whether |
| There is typically a membership cost, followed by | | | | similar schemes will ever take off in more |
| an hourly rate that is noted by the car's onboard | | | | provincial towns. |
| computer. | | | | |