Survey Launched to gauge interest in Community Led Electric Bike & Electric Car Rental Scheme

Local residents, businesses and community organisations are being asked for their views, via a short survey, on proposals to establish a community-led electric bike and electric car rental club for Northern Devon.

The survey is being promoted by North Devon and Torridge District Council's in partnership with Co Cars with the aim of giving affordable access to e-bikes and electric cars for everyone, whilst also supporting the shift to zero carbon transport.

Interest in both electric bikes and cars has surged in recent years but the cost of outright purchase means that they still remain unaffordable for many households. As a result many residents in Northern Devon have still not been able to try out the new technology first hand.

An electric car club would hope to address these challenges by locating cars across the district, bookable from as little as half an hour for one all-inclusive price. Likewise because they are electrically assisted, the electric bikes would offer a great alternative to the car for many shorter trips including commuting, everyday errands and leisure trips.

Having access to shared e-bikes and electric car club schemes may also provide people with an opportunity to let go of a little used personal vehicle, meaning members could also save money whilst helping reduce the area's congestion, parking and pollution problems.

The survey will run until the end of March in partnership with Co Cars car club, a not for profit social enterprise that already has an established network of low and zero emission cars across the South West. The company also runs the Co Bikes electric bike sharing scheme. The results will be used to assess the viability and planning for future schemes in Northern Devon.

Donna Sibley - Sustainability and Climate Officer for North Devon and Torridge Councils said:

"A move away from petrol to electric vehicles is going to be necessary for us to achieve our climate goals in the UK and the not for profit rental scheme offers a unique way of broadening the availability of this technology and making access more affordable.

The area is also lucky to have such an extensive network of cycle trails, such as the Tarka trail, and electric bikes offer another great alternative to the car to get around. I hope people will take part in the survey so we can progress these initiatives to the next stages and contribute to our own carbon reduction hopes for the area."

To take part in the survey please visit https://bit.ly/ElectricTorridge 

Survey Closes 22nd April

05 April 2022