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This
briefing aims to explore the ways in which car clubs can provide
carbon savings for individuals and society and thereby reducing
the threat of global warming from increased carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere. Emissions from transport are currently
responsible for around 25% of the UK's total carbon dioxide
output and car clubs can play a role in helping
reduce emissions from private car transport. Reducing car
dependency through car clubs leads to reductions in carbon
dioxide emissions through decreased car miles, reduced numbers
of cars on the roads and a shift to more efficient vehicles.
These benefits are applicable not just to local authorities
influencing individual travel behaviour, but also to employers
who are seeking to reduce their organisations' carbon footprint
in line with their corporate social responsibility statement.
Such carbon reductions will bring not only environmental gains,
but also potential cost savings for employers and individuals
alike.
'Emissions from transport are currently
responsible for around 25% of the UK's total carbon dioxide
output.'
Department for Transport
Car clubs have been shown to reduce members' mileage by an average of 50% compared to pre-membership levels. They do this by making the cost of car use more transparent and by encouraging members to plan trips in advance. This reduction occurs as a result of members transferring to other transport modes such as public transport, walking or cycling. In the UK, the average car owner drives 13,438 km per year, emitting 2.246 tonnes of carbon dioxide. After joining a car club, reducing mileage by 50% and using a newer, more efficient car, this figure would be reduced to 0.87 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
Taking older cars into account,
UNECE stated in a recent report that the average carbon dioxide emissions of a
private UK car are 167.2kg per kilometre. The European Union has a
set target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from new cars to
120g/km by 2012, however two of the most commonly used UK car
club vehicles, the Toyota Yaris and the Citroen C3, already meet
this efficiency target. Combining the emissions totals of five
of the most commonly used car club vehicles, it is possible to
generate an average carbon dioxide emission of 129.6g/km.
Therefore every kilometre travelled in a car club car as opposed
to a private car saves 37.6g of carbon dioxide by virtue of the
cars being more efficient.
'Every
kilometre travelled in a car club car...saves 37.6g of carbon
dioxide.'
It is worth mentioning that one car club car replaces somewhere between 6 and 20 private cars. In terms of carbon savings, any emissions generated in vehicle manufacture are therefore reduced as fewer cars are required. Although these emissions are difficult to calculate, they are likely to be significant.
Car club pricing structures encourage members to 'save up' and join trips together. It takes around 2 miles for engines to reach optimum temperature during which emissions are at around 20% more per mile. The average journey length for a private car trip is 6.8 miles so around 10% of the distance driven is under cold start conditions, whereas club car drivers average journey lengths are 30-50 miles, because members tend to combine many reasons for travel within one trip to make the hire more efficient. So only 2% of the distances driven are under cold start conditions.
Car clubs can unlock the potential of an employer travel plan by making other transport schemes viable. They can not only achieve a reduction in lone driver commuting, but can also achieve an increase in the use of public transport, walking and cycling as employees realise the possibilities of different transport modes. For instance, if an employee swaps from private car commuting to travelling by bus (using the on-site car club for work trips during the day when necessary) the car club is helping support the viability of that particular bus route.
Carplus has
recently completed a three year research project sponsored by DEFRA
entitled Measuring Carbon Benefits.
The purpose of the project was to measure the environmental benefits
of using car club cars compared to private cars.
The carbon implications were measured through the whole lifecycle
of the car from birth (car production), life (car usage) to death
(car disposal). Other carbon implications will also be measured
through general behaviour changes relating to being a car club
member.
The project will monitor a car club from
pre-launch to full operational status:
Using vehicles that offer the best environmental performance and recyclability
Making the most utilisation of
a car through car club services. Private cars are used 6% of a
24 hour day as opposed to car club cars which are used 40% of
the chargeable hours (approx 18
hours a day)
The proper disposal of:
Privately owned cars no longer required
Used parts and fluids
The results of the research will be available in mid 2008.
In conclusion, car clubs reduce carbon emissions in a number of different ways. This can benefit local authorities by contributing to their climate change strategies and can also help employers achieve their corporate social responsibility targets.
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