Tilton launched its electric car club in 2023, which allows residents to hire vehicles by the hour or the day. The initiative, spearheaded by regenerative farmer Miriam Stoate and Green Fox Community Energy, aims to address transport poverty in rural Leicestershire. With funding from Motability and Harborough district council, the club provides two electric vehicles (EVs) and volunteer drivers for those who can no longer drive.
A Small Solution to a Big Problem
Stoate noticed that many villagers lacked access to a car when needed, due to ill health or limited household vehicles. The club has not only improved mobility but also fostered community bonds. 'People who would not necessarily have met previously are now friends,' she said.
Transport is the UK's largest source of carbon emissions, responsible for about 25% of the annual total. While EV sales jumped 59% in April and now account for a quarter of all car sales, experts say faster progress is essential to meet carbon goals.
Challenges and Opportunities
Anna Krajinska of Transport and Environment warns against weakening the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires all new cars sold by 2035 to be EVs. 'Unless we stick to the EV mandate, it will slow down the availability of affordable EVs,' she said.
Chris Hayes of Common Wealth highlights decades of underinvestment in trains and buses, leading to higher fares and poorer services. 'We need an integrated rail and bus service that is affordable and works for people and communities,' he said.
Doug Parr of Greenpeace UK calls for major government investment, an overhaul of train fares, and a lower bus fare cap. 'Shifting journeys from cars to buses and trains won't just reduce congestion, pollution and climate emissions, it may also help us cut our oil demand,' he said.
Innovative Solutions Needed
Greg Marsden of the University of Leeds warns that even if all current targets are met, the UK will overshoot its carbon budget for transport by 15%. He proposes a new transport taskforce to explore shared EVs, lighter vehicles for short journeys, and integrated train-road systems. 'We need a more ambitious plan for what our cities are going to be like in the next 20 or 30 years,' he said.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said car-sharing schemes are already encouraged through statutory guidance, and a new transport strategy will publish further guidance to help local authorities boost these services.
Back in Tilton, Stoate acknowledges challenges such as affordable insurance and convincing older residents about EV safety. However, support from CoMoUK has been invaluable, and other villages are now exploring similar schemes. 'It's about learning from each other … we now have a viable transport option that everyone can use without buying more and more cars – and it has helped to build our community, too,' she said.
