UK's first Prius car hire scheme launched

The UK's first Prius car hire scheme has been launched in London, giving city-dwellers a green and convenient way to get around the city.

Car hire club Streetcar will allow members to use the Amberjac plug-in Prius for £5.95 per hour, marking the first time such a scheme has been launched on British soil with an electric vehicle.

The Prius uses an ion phosphate battery that is charged using mains electricity and can travel up to 30 miles without using its conventional engine.

Streetcar's co-founder Brett Akker said: "Plug-in hybrids have a lot of potential for car clubs.

"The Amberjac has a 30-mile range using the battery, which covers around two thirds of our members' journeys, but it can then also be used for any longer journeys."

The car hire club currently has 58,000 members and is the first company in Europe to offer motorists the chance to rent a hybrid vehicle.

Mr Akker added that as Streetcars membership grows the firm aims to offer its services to 250,000 motorists by 2012.

He explained that the service will become more popular as people begin to consider the environmental impact of their driving and note the financial benefits of joining the club.

"Once they have joined we want to offer them the best possible service and our members will be the first people in Europe to hire a car with this electric technology", Mr Akker added.

Presently, the scheme is being trialed by Camden council and Transport for London, but if it proves popular the firm plans to roll out the initiative throughout London.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Not only do electric vehicles save a large sum off fuel bills, helping businesses to remain lean in tough economic times, they are also great for London's environment.

"We are now going to work hand in hand with fleet owners to accelerate the take-up of electric vehicles, which are available to buy right now."

Last week, another green transport initiative was launched in London which will see the future implementation of electric commercial vehicles.

Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's have pledged to replace their delivery and transportation fleets partially with electric vehicles.

Furthermore, Mr Johnson plans to make around 25,000 charging points for electric cars and vans available throughout London by 2015.