A growing network of electric car clubs is offering communities across Wales an alternative to the cost of owning a vehicle, with more than 500 people now signed up to share access to cars when they need them.
TrydaNi allows individuals, businesses and non-profit organisations to hire electric vehicles by the hour or day, removing many of the fixed costs associated with ownership, including insurance, maintenance and parking.
Backed by £1 million of Welsh Government funding, the network has expanded during 2026 with new clubs opening in Swansea, Penygroes and Abergavenny, while Bangor is set to follow.
The model could have particular relevance in rural and smaller communities, where public transport options can be more limited but owning and running a private vehicle can represent a significant household expense.
Rather than replacing public transport, the clubs provide another option for journeys where access to a car remains necessary.
Aberystwyth provides an early indication of demand. Its club, which launched in December 2024, has grown to 99 members sharing two electric vehicles based at North Road car park.
One of those members, Simon LePine, has not owned a car with his wife for around 15 years.
He said:
“My wife and I have not owned a car for at least 15 years, so the car is our only access to a vehicle. It allows us to use a car when we need it without worrying about parking, insurance, and all of that other stuff when we don’t need the car.”
Cars can currently be booked through the TrydaNi app, with prices starting from £2 per hour, capped at £30, plus 16p per mile for the first 100 miles.
As well as providing an alternative to owning a primary vehicle, the model could allow some households to consider whether they still need a second car.
It also provides people interested in switching to electric vehicles with an opportunity to use the technology without committing to purchasing one.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper visited the Aberystwyth club to see how the model is developing.
He said:
“Car clubs are an easy and affordable way for people to share use of a car without the cost of owning one. I’m so pleased to see the scheme expanding.
“It’s just one of the ways we can help cut carbon emissions and move towards a net zero future. People not only have the option of giving up their own car or a second car but also can benefit from the real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.”
Alongside the environmental benefits of sharing zero-emission vehicles, the expansion raises a wider question about how mobility could develop in communities where neither traditional public transport nor universal private car ownership provides the complete answer.
TrydaNi's approach combines technology with a community model. Members book and unlock vehicles through an app, while individual clubs can establish WhatsApp groups and members can become Community Champions, earning credits by helping clean and maintain vehicles.
A support service is also available between 8am and 10pm seven days a week.
With more than 500 members and the network continuing to expand, the initiative could provide a useful test of whether shared electric vehicles can become part of the longer-term transport mix in Wales — particularly in communities where access to a car remains important but ownership does not always make financial or practical sense.
