Key Points:
- Hackney Council launches an electric vehicle (EV) sharing club pilot in May 2025.
- Scheme funded by over £1 million from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Pilot Fund and EV operator Zest.
- 15 EVs supplied by Zipcar are already deployed, with one more on the way.
- 70 new on-street fast chargers installed across the borough.
- Each Hackney ward will receive at least one EV car club space with a dedicated and public charger.
- The initiative aims to help reduce car ownership in Hackney by 25% by 2041.
- One year of free membership is offered to local businesses via Zero Emissions Network.
- Cabinet member Sarah Young praises the environmental and social equity benefits.
- Zest CEO Robin Heap and Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood also back the pilot.
- Hackney’s car club fleet target: 300 vehicles by 2026, with 50% being electric.
- Car ownership in Hackney is only 35%, making shared EV schemes especially relevant.
Hackney Council has launched a borough-wide electric vehicle car club pilot aimed at slashing pollution and making zero-emission transport accessible, with more than £1 million in joint funding from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot Fund and EV infrastructure provider Zest.
The pilot, as reported by Dylan Robertson of Motor Trade News, features 15 new electric vehicles already available to residents and businesses, with another vehicle to be delivered shortly. Zipcar is providing the fleet, while Zest is responsible for installing 70 new fast chargers across 35 street locations. Each charging site offers two bays—one reserved for the car club and another for public use.
What does the EV club offer Hackney residents?
The council confirmed that every ward in Hackney will receive at least one EV car club bay, ensuring equitable access throughout the borough. These dedicated bays come with specific car club chargers and public access charging points to benefit both members and EV owners.
As stated by Sarah Young, Hackney Council’s cabinet member for climate, environment and transport, in Dylan Robertson’s Motor Trade News article:
“Shared electric vehicles are a win-win: they reduce air pollution and support equity for residents by adding to the affordable transport options, and support people who want to live car-free. This pilot is an important step in making sustainable transport the easy choice in Hackney.”
How does the scheme support business and environmental goals?
Hackney Council is offering one year of free membership for local businesses through Zipcar’s partnership with the Zero Emissions Network, part of the council’s broader strategy to promote clean and inclusive mobility.
The initiative is closely tied to the borough’s ambitious environmental goals. Hackney is aiming to reduce private car ownership by 25% by 2041 and is also expanding its existing car club fleet to 300 vehicles by 2026, with 50% expected to be electric.
What do government and industry leaders say?
In Dylan Robertson’s coverage for Motor Trade News, Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, endorsed the programme:
“Hackney’s new electric car club pilot – supported by our Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure pilot fund – is a brilliant initiative that provides residents with the comfort and flexibility of easily renting a car – whilst being zero emission and helping roll out new fast-chargers across the borough.”
Also quoted in the article, Robin Heap, CEO of Zest Charging, emphasised the broader vision:
“By combining reliable EV charging infrastructure with shared EV access, we’re building a future where greener transport is available to everyone—not just those who own a car.”
Why is Hackney a suitable area for EV-sharing schemes?
Only around 35% of households in Hackney own a car, making the borough an ideal testing ground for shared mobility solutions. The council has long promoted sustainable travel options, including walking, cycling, and low-emission vehicles.
This latest initiative builds on earlier efforts to green the borough’s transport system and aligns with wider national goals to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
What’s next for Hackney’s EV transport future?
The borough plans to grow its car club fleet significantly by 2026, with a strong focus on electric models. These efforts are intended to offer flexibility, reduce ownership costs, and make clean transport more inclusive.
Hackney’s car club scheme is part of a larger movement toward low-emission, shared transport, and is designed to appeal to residents who want the flexibility of driving without the costs and environmental impact of private car ownership.
