Grampian Housing Association is the first housing association in Aberdeen to be making the cars available in a partnership project with social enterprise Co-wheels Car Club.

Neil Clapperton, chief executive of Grampian Housing Association, said: “We are always looking at ways we can help our tenants and they let us know about their interest in this initiative. It also ties in well with the Association’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint with the cars available for staff to use when visiting tenants.

“The vehicles offer a cheaper, greener and convenient alternative to owning and using a car, especially for people who may only need to drive occasionally. This is a great opportunity for tenants, staff and local businesses to have access to a vehicle for as long or as little time as they need.”

People are being encouraged to sign up as Co-wheels Car Club members to benefit from the initiative. There is an added incentive for tenants with free membership for a limited period, £25 of free driving credit and 25% off hire charges on their first 12 months using the promotional code GRAMPIAN25.

Grampian Housing Association received a grant of £36,447.78 through the Energy Saving Trust from Plugged-in Households, a Scottish Government initiative which supports housing associations in running electric vehicles for use within the local community.

Tony Archer, Co-wheels Car Club Scottish manager, added: “Through the launch of this great initiative we hope that both tenants and the wider Aberdeen community reap the benefits this creates for affordable zero-emission driving.”

Co-wheels cover costs including insurance, cleaning, servicing and refuelling. Co-wheels members just book a car when needed and drive away.

With cars available for booking for 30 minutes to days at a time, members only pay for the hire time and distance driven.

Booking is available via Co-wheels website or by calling Co-wheels, using smartcards to access the car. There is no need for keys. At the end of a booking, the car is simply returned to its charging bay in Grampian Association’s car park.