A new car sharing scheme will launch next month giving staff and students at Imperial access to pay-as-you-go, low emission vehicles.

A new car sharing scheme will launch next month giving staff and students at the College access to pay-as-you-go, low emission vehicles parked on South Kensington Campus.

Imperial College Car Club has been established in conjunction with Hertz On Demand as part of the College’s ongoing commitment to lower its carbon footprint.

“It should reduce our reliance on taxis and personal vehicles used for business trips between campuses, thereby lowering emissions,” said Kevin Cope, Head of Building Operations (Facilities and Property Management).

“Membership is free and will also be available to staff and students, including our 300 clubs and societies, for private use outside working hours, providing a convenient andcost-effective alternative to traditional car use,” he added.

Initially, there will be three vehicles available – two fuelefficient Alfa Romeo MiTo petrol cars and an all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV (pictured above). Hourly rates are £4.50 per hour for the electric vehicle and £7.50 for the petrol cars, with a 20 per cent reduction for staff when travelling for business purposes.

Cars can be booked online or over the phone up to six months in advance or immediately, if available, and are accessed using wireless radio frequency identification key fobs, issued to members when they enrol.

To register for membership visit: www.hertzondemand.co.uk quoting promotion code 1102

—Sam Tracey, for Communications and Development