Co Cars launches Exeter’s first zero emission E-Mobility Hub

Co Cars, the not-for-profit social enterprise, has successfully launched a zero emissions all-Electric Mobility Hub at the Bloor Homes development, Seabrook Orchards in Topsham, near Exeter.

The Seabrook Orchards E-Mobility Hub is the first to launch at a housing development in Exeter and one of only a handful across the UK. It has been made possible thanks to a partnership with Devon County Council, Bloor Homes and the landowners and management agents, Darts Farm.

The Hub is powered by 100% renewable energy from Good Energy. It features a brand-new electric shared Co Car (Volkswagen ID.3), Co Bikes e-bikes and a docking station. There is a dedicated charger for the Co Car plus a public charger, both supplied by Econetiq. It is located just 100m from dedicated cycle routes and the nearest bus stop.

As Exeter approaches its Net Zero 2030 target, Mobility Hubs are set to be an increasingly common sight around the city. Because public, shared and active travel modes are all co-located, the Hubs give people easy access to sustainable transport options whilst helping to reduce congestion and emissions on our streets. Each shared Co Car removes 8.5 private cars from the road and around 50% of Co Bikes trips replace journeys that would have been made by a car.

Mark Hodgson, managing director of Co Cars, commented; “I’d like to thank Devon County Council, Bloor Homes, and Darts Farm for their support in making this Hub happen. By swapping a second car for our shared electric car or making shorter trips using our e-bikes, residents can make a real difference to their carbon emissions whilst also saving money.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “Tackling transport is key to meeting our Net Zero 2030 objectives. Mobility Hubs are a fantastic innovation that make it easy for people to make more sustainable choices about how they move.”

Sara Parker, sales director for Bloor Homes comments on the partnership; “Our residents and potential buyers have shown a great deal of interest in the shared car and e-bikes. By offering alternative sustainable transport solutions, we can have fewer private cars taking up valuable green space, providing a benchmark for sustainable developments going forward.”

Residents of Seabrook Orchards will benefit from exclusive Co Cars membership offers and will be invited to find out more about the Mobility Hub at a Co Cars pop up event taking place on the 18th June.

Co Cars has worked with housing developers since 2016 to deliver innovative mobility solutions, and earlier this year launched a Mobility Hub at Bloor Homes’ Baltic Wharf development in Totnes. Further Mobility Hub partnerships between Co Cars and developers across Exeter will be announced in due course.

Co Cars has more than 30 shared cars for hire in Exeter, over half of which are fully electric, plus more cars across the Southwest. Members can book any car in the network from minutes to days at the tap of an app and for an all-inclusive price (plus mileage).

In many instances, Co Cars are the affordable choice compared to the escalating costs of owning and maintaining a car. For short trips across the city, Co Bikes has over 150 e-bikes in circulation, set to rise to 200 e-bikes by August 2022.