Henfield is set to create a Sussex first this summer with the creation of a highly innovative community scheme where second car owners are encouraged to ditch their spare motors and hire an electric vehicle when they need it.
Across West Sussex there are approximately 600 cars per 1000 residents and approximately 29% of households have two or more cars. In Henfield, this means the village has over 3,300 cars on the road with all the carbon emissions that come with that.
Community Transport Sussex (CTS) is a leading provider of community transport services in Sussex, working in practical and creative ways to reduce social isolation across the county through the provision of safe, accessible, supported, door-to-door transport for those who have difficulty accessing the mainstream transport network. It has been on a mission to promote the use of zero emission vehicles in Sussex which will reduce fossil fuelled journeys and Henfield has been selected to play a huge part in this as the location for the first Electric Community Car Club in Sussex.
Launching in June 2023, the Electric Community Car Club will be user-friendly as well as cost effective – a sustainable asset for the village as it will be residents that run and manage it. It will be a prime example of a local community taking positive action to help the environment and to reduce the use of two cars in households. This has not only benefits for the aesthetic look of the village by reducing the number of cars but residents will be taking meaningful action to help the environment. Also, anyone with mobility difficulties can easily access the vehicles.
Running an average car these days can cost more than £3,500 annually. This club incurs a small membership fee of £5 per month, anyone can rent a car from the club for £4 per hour for the first three hours. CT Sussex will be working with the Henfield Parish Council, WSCC and Connected Kerb as the charging points will be installed at the Henfield Hall and Library.
One of the aims of the club is to have a positive environmental impact by reducing the need
for a second car and to bring the community together giving residents a tangible sense of ownership. Volunteers and a local steering group will be recruited. Supported by the CT Sussex development worker will have overall responsibility for the day to day running of the club.
Marie Claire Macintosh, Community Transport Sussex