Lambeth moves to secure car-sharing future for borough

Initiative: Lambeth secures car-sharing future.

Location: Lambeth borough, London.

Developers: Local council and partners.

Key Focus: Sustainable transport expansion.

Timeline: Recent council moves announced.

Changes: Enhanced borough-wide car-sharing scheme.

Following news that Zipcar, the largest company in the industry, will no longer be operating in the UK, Lambeth Council says it has taken steps to strengthen car-sharing services in the borough.

Residents of Lambeth have access to Enterprise CarClub, and the council is in contact with other CoMoUK-accredited operators to determine which other car clubs could be brought to the borough to occupy the Car Club bays that Zipcar will vacate.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, Cllr. Rezina Chowdhury, stated:

“Our borough has low levels of car ownership, with people choosing to walk cycle or use public transport as their primary mode of transport, so these services provide a really valuable option for many of our residents who occasionally need to use a car or van.

The news about Zipcar will be disappointing for many residents and local businesses who rely on car club vehicles for occasional trips, which is why we are working hard to find other operators who can fill the gap.”

The council stated that they are in talks with other operators to close the market gap, particularly in the areas of the borough where car club usage is highest.

Cllr Chowdhury added:

“I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to request better national level co-ordination of car club operators.

We are also in active discussions industry bodies and Transport for London about the longer-term changes needed to help car clubs succeed.

Car clubs are an important part of reducing car dependency.

For car clubs to deliver these benefits at scale, we need a supportive and consistent policy environment so that operators can be commercially viable and invest with confidence.”

What support is Lambeth seeking from Transport for London?

Lambeth Council is requesting Transport for London( TfL) support to sustain auto- participating schemes amid Zipcar’s planned pullout from devoted kudos, fastening on coordinated policy fabrics and structure durability. 

Council leaders, led by Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, prompted TfL to join advocacy efforts with central government and CoMoUK drivers, seeking standardized bay allocations and backing assurances to help service gaps. 

Lambeth emphasizes TfL’s part in aligning city- position auto clubs with London-wide mobility strategies, including data- participating on operation patterns and integration with Cycleways/ Superloop networks. The drive counters driver viability enterprises, situating auto- sharing as essential for emigration reductions in a low- auto- power city.