Residents who have regularly hired the CoWheels Car Club vehicle that we have had parked in Back Lane car park may have recently spotted a change: it’s a different car!
The original CoWheels vehicle was fully-electric (MG4). This has now been replaced with a hybrid vehicle (MG3) which has a self-charging electric battery but requires petrol to run.
Everyone’s favourite choice!
This new vehicle is available to hire at any time from Back Lane and, like its predecessor, is exempt from the Oxford congestion charge.
Residents may be interested to learn that it’s the most popular car for CoWheels hirers across the country.
Crucially for those who have never driven anything but a traditional car, the hybrid feels more familiar to operate than the EV did. It is also easy to fill up as usual at the petrol station, avoiding the need to use the electric charge points.
The car can be unlocked using a CoWheels 'key card' (sent out when you have signed up) or by using a mobile phone app, available to download.
Not an EV, but still a ‘green’ choice
The car may feel more familiar, but it is still a ‘greener’ choice. While not fully electric, the hybrid is known for being energy-efficient, travelling up to 63 miles to the gallon. The car produces 35% less emissions than a traditional petrol car and the battery charges itself using energy produced by the braking system, which is usually wasted.
Festive visiting for less
Why not try it out? Joining the CoWheels Car Club and hiring the car could be an ideal option for any festive visiting, especially if journeys might pass into the congestion charge zone.
Even better, CoWheels has provided us with a special promotion for Eynsham hirers so you can save money if you sign up before the end of 2025. Use the code EYNSHAM15 when signing up to get free standard membership (usually £5 a month) and £15 driving credit, which needs to be used within a month of the account being approved.
For those who don't want to committ to becoming a Member, there is also a pa-as-you-go option which is slightly less cost-effective, but provides more flexibility.
Find out more about the CoWheels Car Club on their website. Residents can also read more about it in our previous article. If you’ve tried out the car, let us know how you got on by emailing epc.comms@eynsham-pc.gov.uk.