In January 2021, Stromness resident Cat McGinley joined Co Wheels, the UK-wide pay-as-you-go car club with five fully-electric locations in Orkney.
With the code ReFLEX1, she received no monthly charge and £25 of start-up credit through the ReFLEX project and now benefits from flexible, low carbon transport as and when she needs it.
29 September 2021
- Who: Cat McGinley
- Location: Stromness, Orkney
- Nearest Co Wheels car club: Charles Clouston Building, Stromness
Without your own vehicle what did you do before you had the option to hire a Co Wheels car?
I would usually use public transport or cycle everywhere but since I moved to Orkney that has become more difficult so I signed up to the car club. I had never driven an EV, but the instruction manual provided in the cars is very clear to follow and makes them very easy to use.
Was the sign-up process to become a member easy?
I was able to easily apply online, which was clear, so I didn’t need any help signing up. It took a couple of working days to get my driving licence approved. Then it took another couple of days for my key car to arrive. It was completely free to sign up and took around a week to be ready to hire a car.
Was the lower carbon footprint aspect of both being a part of a car club, as well as driving an electric car, part of the reason you chose Co Wheels?
Yes, it was. It is amazing to have the EVs available. The car is always fully charged, and I get to drive emission free.
Results
Whenever I need to book a car, it is always quick and easy on the app. It costs around £13 for four hours, and I use the car about four times a week. Sometimes I use it to for a whole day with friends to go on adventures or to go to the grocery shops in Kirkwall. I have never taken the car off the Islands, but I have taken it over to Hoy, which was a great day.
I had one issue with the car charger cable not disconnecting from the EV charging station, but I phoned up the Co Wheels car club helpline and they were very nice. They knew how to deal with the issue and talked me through all the steps to fix the problem. I was driving in no time; it was very easy to get in contact with them and they were very helpful.
The cars are always clean and ready to use, it is a great service.
What they say...
"I do not want to own a car as it would be parked most of the time relative to the amount it would be used. To have access to the car club means that I'm able to share a vehicle with my community, that is emission free too!”
Cat McGinley
