Car club memberships are boosting UK air quality

The growing popularity of car club schemes is having a positive impact on the UK's air quality.

A study conducted by Carplus has suggested many of those who engage in the vehicle sharing initiatives are either selling their own cars or making fewer journies.

It revealed that 32 per cent of members reported a reduction in vehicle ownership, while a further 30 per cent stated they had purposefully stalled on buying a new motor of their own due to their involvement in car clubs.

Carplus chief executive Chas Ball said the introduction of car clubs has made the cost of motoring "more transparent" and has caused more people to consider eco-friendly modes of transport such as cycling.

Chair of the Carplus Trust board Eric Manners told Fleet News: "In limiting their car use to journeys where the car is most suitable - and in using efficient vehicles - car club members are having a positive impact on air quality."

The emergence of car clubs could be good news for London residents, as some parts of the capital are set to breach EU rulings on pollution.

Posted by Joseph Hutton