Overview
Car clubs are an easy and affordable way for residents and businesses to access a motor vehicle without the need to own one. Vehicles can then be hired by the hour or day and are typically available 24/7, 365 a year. Car club operators often provide a range of different vehicle types, from small cars and SUVs to vans. Shared car club vehicles can be reserved via a car club app, online or by phone in advance or just before your trip.
A variety of monthly and annual membership options are available. Car club membership, rental rates and mileage fees include fuel, servicing, MOT inspections, breakdown cover and damage protection.
Car club vehicles are hired from dedicated car club bays and must be returned to the same bay at the end of your trip. If the car club bay is obstructed when you are returning your vehicle, please contact the car club operator for assistance.
Car Club Operator
Zipcar was previously a car club operator in Hounslow. However, as of 1 January 2026, Zipcar has ceased all public operations in the UK. For further information, please visit Zipcar’s FAQ website.
Enterprise Car Club is the current car club operator in Hounslow. Enterprise has operated car club vehicles in Hounslow for over a decade and has launched additional vehicles in the borough following Zipcar’s departure. As of 9 March 2026, there will be 11 Enterprise car club vehicles parked on-street or in Council car parks across the borough, plus additional publicly accessible car club vehicles in private developments within the borough. There are a mix of cars, SUVs, and vans to suit a variety of trip types.
You can see vehicle locations near you on the Enterprise website and mobile app (available on Apple iPhone or Android Google Play). Enterprise Car Club members also have access to car club vehicles in neighbouring boroughs and beyond, including over 1,300 vehicles across the UK (see a full list of locations here).
Depending on demand, more car club vehicles may be launched in the borough over time. Residents and businesses who want to request a car club vehicle near them can email the Council at traffic@hounslow.gov.uk. The requested location will then be assessed by the car club operator and Council officers.
To learn more about how Enterprise car club works, including details on driver eligibility, membership, and the latest pricing/promotions, please visit the Enterprise website.
How Pricing Works
Information on Enterprise pricing can be found on the Enterprise website.
There are three main costs to consider when using Enterprise Car Club:
- Membership is required to access the car club vehicles. Once approved, you’ll have access to cars and vans across the UK. For drivers aged 22 and over, Enterprise offers two membership options to suit how often you travel. The Basic Plan is ideal for occasional drivers, with an annual fee plus a one‑off application fee. For those who drive more regularly, the Standard Plan offers cheaper rental rates and can be paid monthly or annually for better value. There is also an Under 22 plan that provides access to small/economy cars, with some use restrictions.
- Rental charges are for the time you book the vehicle. Pricing is shown upfront before making your booking and Enterprise caps the daily rate for added value. Rates depend on the type of vehicle, how long you book it for, your location and the plan you are subscribed to.
- Mileage is charged per mile and added to your rental at the end of your trip. Per mile charges depend on the vehicle type/size and the plan you are subscribed to.
Fuel, servicing, MOT inspections, road tax and breakdown cover are all included. Pre-paid fuel cards are provided in the vehicle.
Other potential costs to consider include:
- Parking: When parking outside the vehicle’s dedicated location, you are liable for any parking costs.
- Third party liability, damage waiver/excess protection: All Enterprise vehicles include third party liability insurance and a damage waiver, which limits your liability in the event of damage or theft. Members can reduce the excess as part of their membership or on specific reservations. See website for full details.
- London Congestion Charge: If you rent a vehicle from a bay in Hounslow and enter the Congestion Charge zone as part of your trip, you are required to pay the congestion charge directly. Failure to do so will incur additional penalties levied by TfL for late payment and an administration charge. For more information regarding the London Congestion Charge, including the area that it covers, please visit the Transport for London website.
- Tolls and Fines: Members will have to cover the costs should you incur a parking ticket or traffic offence. These also may attract an administration fee.
- Other penalty fees: see Membership Policies and Other Charges
Discounts to Join Enterprise
New members can join the Enterprise Basic Annual Plan membership for £10 plus get £10 free driving credit.
Additionally, anyone who has been member of another UK based car-sharing club in the last 6 months can save £50 when joining Enterprise’s Standard Annual Plan. For a limited time, you can enter the promo code 'CHANGE10' to join for £10 for the first year (usually & thereafter £60/year) plus get £10 free driving credit.* Terms and conditions apply – details provided at Enterprise Car Club - Switch Campaign.
*Driving credit is valid for 90 days, excludes mileage fee, & applied on approval. Offer valid until 30/05/2026.
Car Club Benefits
Car club benefits include reduced private car ownership, trip mileage and air pollution, modal shift, financial savings compared to personal car ownership, and more efficient use of kerbside space. For less frequent drivers, there are significant savings to be made by paying for car use on a trip-by-trip basis, rather than paying large lump sums for vehicle purchase/lease, tax, insurance, maintenance, fuel, parking permits and other fees. Research from CoMoUK (a national organisation promoting shared transport) outlines these car club benefits in greater detail.
Our Kerbside Strategy recognises the important role that car clubs play in improving local air quality and helping to tackle the climate emergency, and it contains several actions to promote car club use and expand the number of bays. These actions are being reviewed in the wake of Zipcar’s UK exit, which has disrupted the car club market in London. The Council continues to support car club provision and will be working closely with stakeholders to expand car club provision as quickly as market forces allow.
Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing
Peer-to-peer car sharing services allow residents to list their privately owned vehicles for hire by other residents (comparable to rental accommodation platforms like AirBnB). These services provide an additional option for residents who want access to a vehicle without owning one. Existing peer-to-peer car share operators in the UK include HiyaCar and Turo.
The Council plays no role in managing or financing peer-to-peer car sharing services. These are private companies operating separately from the Hounslow Car Club Scheme.
