Our vision

During our mission to get car clubs established across the country, we have been able to develop a number of different schemes which are heavily influenced by local partners and residents. Therefore, if you are keen to see Co-wheels where you live or work, there is a solution to fit.

Our vision is to develop a network of Co-wheels community car clubs which are accessible to as many people as possible. So what are you waiting for, get in touch!

Member car scheme

Our Member Car Scheme offers members and potential members the opportunity to convert their car into a Co-wheels car. This has proven to be a great way of starting new car clubs and expand existing fleets.

How it works

You remain the owner of the car, but you agree to put your car into the Co-wheels fleet for other members to use. From the point you do this, Co-wheels will cover all maintenance, servicing, tax, insurance and will regularly clean and check the car.

You will receive a healthy allowance of ‘free use’ of your own car or any car in our fleet. So the benefits are you stop spending money on your car; you have access to Co-wheels cars across the UK and you are helping to develop the car club in your area!

We are pretty flexible on cars we accept. Generally though, we are looking for cars five years and under. We do a full mechanical check of the car before it enters the scheme.

To offer your car or to find our more, please contact us.

Co-wheels Social Franchise

A Community Resource.  An Environmental Travel Choice.  A Business Opportunity.

As a social enterprise, Co-wheels is very keen to see the network grow and need local partners to help with this process. Locally managed, community based car club schemes operating under licence within the Co-wheels family will be provided with the resources required to set up and operate a scheme themselves.

We run franchise operations in a range of locations from small villages (eg Ashton Hayes) to larger towns (e.g. Swindon). We are by far the largest and the fastest growing not-for-profit car club operator in the country.

What do we offer?

Basically we can make available a full range of resources to set up and operate a car club. We will provide ongoing support to enable the scheme to grow effectively and sustainably.

Set-up resources

• Co-wheels Franchise Manual 
• Training 
• Software and systems 
• Car Park Advice 
• Launch and Promotion Package 
• Branded Stationery

On-going support

• Booking website 
• Billing and collections 
• Vehicle Insurance 
• Member processing including driving licence checks 
• 24/7 emergency helpline for members 
• Fuel cards 
• Marketing support for potential business and residential members 
• Support for negotiating with developers setting up car clubs.

What do you need?

The local partner will usually need to source their own vehicles, whether these are owned, leased or borrowed from within the local community. Co-wheels can provide some assistance is securing vehicles. You will also need enthusiasm for the concept, commitment to the project and some start up funding. You will need sufficient finance to cover the initial outlay to establish the scheme.

What does it cost?

The tariff is set as low as possible to cover costs. Successful schemes pay more to help support growth of the wider network. Please get in touch for up to date prices or for more information by clicking here.

Co-wheels can provide fleet management solutions for organisations and businesses in the private sector, enabling a unique interaction between travel modes.

The system gives users options for planning business activity. In particular, it encourages active travel and lessens the need for commuting by car. The use of telematic technology allows fleet resources to be shared between corporate travel, private use by staff members and the general public.

NHS

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust	North Bristol NHS Trust	Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust	Sirona Care & Health (St Martin's Hospital)

Social Care Providers

Bristol Community Health	Second Step	Turning Point

Housing Providers

Barratt Homes	GreenSquare	HAB Housing

Local Authorities

Aberdeen City Council	Bath & North East Somerset Council	Bristol City Council
Cumbria County Council	Dumfries & Galloway Council	Durham County Council
Salford City Council

Universities

Abertay University	Bournemouth University	Bucks New University
Newcastle University	Oxford Brookes University	University of Cumbria
University of Dundee	University of the West of England

Other

Avon Fire & Rescue

Co-wheels is the only independently-owned national car club, providing low emission, hybrid and electric cars on a pay-as-you-go basis for organisations and communities across the UK.

Operating as a Social Enterprise

Trading as a social enterprise means a commitment to improve society and environment. Our primary focus is to help our members to save money, reduce car ownership and create a cleaner environment by making lower impact transport options available to everyone. Because Co-wheels is a Community Interest Company, we reinvest profit into our operations to expand and improve the service. 

The Social Enterprise Mark shows that we are annually and impartially assessed against transparent criteria for social enterprise, all upheld by the independent Certification Panel.

Community Car Club Network

Co-wheels now delivers car clubs in over 60 locations across the UK. We have a diverse range of operations, from city centres to villages. Some of our car clubs are used by local authorities and universities as pool cars for staff, whilst others focus entirely on being shared cars for local residents. We encourage local ownership of our operations which are sometimes run as community car clubs or as one of our social franchises.

Innovation

The Co-wheels team look to create opportunities for innovative projects:

• Continually seeking ways to partner with local and national transport operators to integrate our services.

• Introducing electric vehicles wherever possible; ensuring they are accessible and appealing by introducing a zero mileage fee.

• We are pioneering electric bike hire for employees, with our public access e-bike hire scheme in Bristol.

• We are the first and only car club to introduce Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles into our fleet.

Social and environmental impact

Measuring our impact is important for internal bench marketing, and to demonstrate our impact on society and planet to our partners and investors. Co-wheels produces an annual Impact Report which outlines what we have achieved.

Co-wheels Impact Report 2015

Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Co-wheels’ relationship with you in relation to this website. These T&Cs relate only to this website, and not to membership or use of Co-wheels' services.

Terms of use

The term ‘Co-wheels’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is 3a Sunderland Rd, Gilesgate, Durham, DH12LH. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law. Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements. This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions. All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website. Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence. From time to time this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s). Visitors may to create a link to this website from another website or document without first seeking Co-wheels’s consent, though we would be extremely grateful of any notice that you have done so. Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of England, Scotland and Wales.

Privacy policy 

Our full privacy notice sets out how Co-wheels uses and protects any information that you give Co-wheels when you use this website. The key points for use of the website are summarised below but for full detail;s including how we use the information you give us when you become a members see co-wheels.org.uk/privacy

Co-wheels is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. 

Co-wheels may change this policy from time to time by updating this page and co-wheels.org.uk/privacy. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from May 2018.

What we collect

We may collect the following information in contact forms on our webpages:

Name and contact information - including email address and phone number, and demographic information such as postcode.

What we do with the information we gather 

We use this information to understand and analyse demand and interest for our services. We also share anonymous data confidentially for research purposes with trusted academic and research partners who undertake to hold all personal data securely and not to transmit it to any other party.

We also use information we collect to contact you via email with further information about our services locally and nationally. We will continue to email you with relevant updates to services in your area, and offers and information about our services, and services of others, which we think will be of interest to you. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link we send in every email, or by emailing info@co-wheels.org.uk

Security 

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences. 

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about web page traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website, by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us. 

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer or clear cookies to re-set them at any time. However this may prevent you from taking full advantage of all features on the website.

Remarketing

We also use cookies for Facebook adverts and Google AdWords Remarketing to advertise Co-wheels across the Internet. Facebook and AdWords remarketing may display relevant ads tailored to you based on what parts of the Co-wheels website you have viewed by placing a cookie on your machine.  The cookie cannot be used to identify you, and is simply used to say "This person visited this page, so show them ads relating to that page."

Facebook and Google AdWords Remarketing allows us to tailor our marketing to better suit your needs and only display ads that are relevant to you.

How to Opt Out of Remarketing and Advertising

If you do not wish to participate in our Google AdWords Remarketing, you can opt out by visiting Google's Ads Preferences Manager

If you wish to change or opt out of Facebook adverts then you can amend your settings by using this guide and stop specific ads or companies, including those from Co-wheels, by following this guide

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information & opting out of direct marketing

All emails we send contain a link to unsubscribe you from any promotional contact from Co-wheels. If you have left details on our website which have enabled us to contact you for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at info@co-wheels.co.uk.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen. 

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to the Data Controller at 3a Sunderland Rd, Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2LH or email your request to info@co-wheels.org.uk.
If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

Website Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Co-wheels and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. 

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Co-wheels. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. 

Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, Co-wheels takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.

Copyright notice

This website and its content is copyright of Co-wheels - © Co-wheels 2018. All rights reserved. 

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited other than the following: 

you may print or download to a local hard disk extracts for your personal and non-commercial use only you may copy the content to individual third parties for their personal use, but only if you acknowledge the website as the source of the material You may not, except with our express written permission, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other website or other form of electronic retrieval system.

Accessibility Statement

Co-wheels is committed to making resources and services accessible to as many of our users as possible and, where practicable any users with disabilities who need them. 

The design and construction of this site has therefore taken into account current accessibility standards at the time of development. 

We will work with clients and visitors to provide a reasonable accommodation to your needs. If you have a question about the accessibility of any of our services or resources, please contact us at info@co-wheels.co.uk.

Rates and Pricing

Posted by · April 01, 2014 2:37 PM

How much does it cost to hire a car?

Posted by · April 01, 2014 2:08 PM

How much does it cost to join?

Posted by · April 01, 2014 8:51 AM

Oxford leads the way for shared electric cars

Posted by Rebecca Townend · July 02, 2019 7:00 AM

Co-wheels launches new electric car fleet in Bristol

Posted by · May 29, 2019 6:08 PM

Hydrogen Zero Emission cars come to Aberdeen

Posted by Rebecca Townend · April 01, 2019 5:50 PM

Co-wheels works with universities across the UK to bring smarter car access to students, staff and their local communities.

A Co-wheels car on campus can:

• Encourage staff to commute sustainably by bicycle, walking, or public transport
• Reduce car parking pressure
• Allow facilities and estates teams quick and easy access to transport
• Promote greener travel choices and students and staff
• Simplify and reduce mileage claims
• Eliminate the hassle of pool car management

Students

Co-wheels allows students the freedom of car travel without the hassle of car ownership. We have low hire rates and an excellent insurance policy to enable smarter journeys away from home. To qualify for student membership, you just need to have held a full driving licence for a minimum of 12 months - there's no joining fee, and you'll receive £10 of driving credit when you join. Co-wheels terms and conditions are much more favourable for young people than other car clubs so we can offer a great service to students.

To find out more, please visit our Students page.

Electric vehicles

Universities are at the cutting edge of education and innovation, and electric vehicles are being increasingly recognised as part of a low-carbon future.

We are working with several universities to provide affordable, pay-as-you-go car hire in convenient, easy-to-access locations for local communities.

Co-wheels has implemented a large number of car club services linked to residential developments.

Co-wheels has the largest geographical spread of the UK car club operators which gives us experience of working in variety of settings. The Co-wheels team works in partnership with:

• Property Developers
• Housing Associations
• Local Authorities

We find solutions to meet planning obligations relating to Section 106 and support location travel plans. Having a car club is a very attractive incentive for many people today who do not own their own personal car. This is especially true when marketing properties with limited or costly private parking for residents.

We offer a bespoke package to each Developer to fit the specific requirements of the site. Our service will establish the best locations, car types and promotional activity to ensure the car club is a success. Having 60+ operations across the UK increases the opportunities for linking residential schemes to community car clubs and for establishing local partnerships.

Social Benefit

Our social enterprise status makes us an ideal partner for housing associations and community housing schemes. We can also provide a community franchise service to support local initiatives.

Co-wheels has developed a specialist telematic fleet management service for local authorities 

Over 20 local authorities now use the Co-wheels service as an alternative to grey fleet for delivering services. The Co-wheels solution provides a flexible approach to meet the needs of the organisation.

• Fleet Management System - telematic unit, software system and helpdesk only
• Intermediate Fleet Management Service - as above with fuel card and insurance provided
• Full Fleet Management Service - car, insurance, fuel, servicing, telematic unit & software provided

The system provided by Co-wheels allows fleet cars to be accessed and managed remotely. There is no staff time needed to allocate keys or collate information. Detailed reports of use are provided which allow organisations to manage staff travel effectively. The system allows vehicle resources to be used to maximum efficiency.

Large fleet - Maximum benefits

Recent contracts with Cumbria County Council and Durham County Council have transferred large local authority pool car fleets on to the Co-wheels telematic management system. 

A report conducted for Aberdeen City Council by the Energy Saving Trust concluded that the use of the Co-wheels service resulted in an annual saving of £40k and helped introduce electric cars to the city (see below).