Electric car clubs in Wales: Hire an EV from £2 an hour with TrydaNi

What is TrydaNi?

TrydaNi gives people access to a shared electric car without having to buy or lease one.

Each car club has one or more electric vehicles parked at a set location, such as a town-centre car park. Members book a car when they need it, drive it and return it to its home location for the next person.

TrydaNi looks after the insurance, servicing and other running costs. Electricity for the first 100 miles is also included in the price.

TrydaNi could be useful if you:

• Do not own a car but occasionally need one

• Want to give up a second car that is rarely used

• Need a car for occasional work or family journeys

• Want to try driving an electric car before buying one

• Run a business or non-profit organisation that only needs a vehicle at certain times

How does the TrydaNi electric car club work?

Car clubs can be particularly useful in rural communities, where buses and trains may not be available when you need to travel, or don’t cover the whole journey.

Joining and using a TrydaNi car is straightforward:

1. Apply to join your nearest car club through the TrydaNi website.

2. Download the app once your application has been approved.

3. Use the app to find and book an available electric car.

4. Unlock the car using your phone.

5. Return it to its home location at the end of your booking, ready to be recharged for the next person. Please take all your rubbish with you and leave the car clean and tidy.

Applications are usually approved within a day, although insurance checks can take up to three working days.

Once you have joined your local club, you can use any available TrydaNi vehicle across its network.

How much does it cost to hire an electric car through TrydaNi?

TrydaNi cars currently cost:

• £2 per hour

• A maximum time charge of £30 for each 24-hour period

• 16p per mile for the first 100 miles

Electricity is included for the first 100 miles. If you need to charge the car elsewhere during a longer journey, you will need to pay for that additional charge.

For example, booking a car for two hours and driving 40 miles would cost £10.40:

• Two hours: £4

• Forty miles: £6.40

• Total: £10.40

Businesses pay a £15 monthly account fee, while non-profit organisations pay £10 a month. Vehicle usage is then charged at the standard rate.

TrydaNi has a price calculator on its website to help people work out the likely cost of a journey.

Where are TrydaNi electric car clubs located in Wales?

TrydaNi currently lists car clubs in 13 locations across Wales:

• Aberystwyth

• Abergavenny

• Bangor

• Bethesda

• Llandeilo

• Llandrindod Wells

• Llanidloes

• Llansteffan

• Llandovery

• Machynlleth

• Penygroes

• Penrhyn-coch

• Swansea

New clubs have opened in Swansea, Penygroes and Abergavenny during 2026.

If there is no electric car club near you, your community can register its interest in starting one through the TrydaNi website.

What is it like to use an electric car club?

TrydaNi’s Aberystwyth car club launched in December 2024 and has already grown to 99 members.

Members share two electric vehicles: a Vauxhall Combo Life Electric and a Renault Zoe, both based at North Road car park.

Simon LePine, a member of the Aberystwyth club, said it had given him and his wife access to a car without the cost and responsibility of owning one.

“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.”

Members can also join an optional WhatsApp group to share advice and local information. Telephone support is available from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

People who want to become more involved can volunteer as Community Champions. They help check and clean the cars and receive driving credits in return for their time.

This is only the start…

TrydaNi is backed by £1 million of Welsh Government funding, helping the community-owned network provide affordable, zero-emission transport in more parts of Wales.

Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper visited the Aberystwyth club to see how the funding is helping local communities.

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.”

He added that electric car clubs could help people give up a car or second vehicle while offering a way to experience driving an EV without making a long-term commitment.

Benefits of electric car clubs in Wales

An electric car club gives people another option: access to a car when they need one, without having to own one.

Using a car club vehicle may mean that people are able to save money by getting rid of  cars sitting unused most of the time.

Car clubs give more people the chance to travel in an electric vehicle. This can help cut transport emissions and support a cleaner, healthier Wales.

Find an electric car club near you

If you would like to try driving an electric car without buying one, visit the TrydaNi website to:

• Find your nearest electric car club

• See which vehicles are available

• Calculate the cost of a journey

• Apply to become a member

• Register interest in bringing a club to your community

Frequently asked questions

Is TrydaNi only for people who do not own a car?

No. Some members do not own a vehicle, while others use TrydaNi instead of running a second car or for journeys when their own vehicle is unavailable.

Can businesses and charities use TrydaNi?

Yes. TrydaNi is open to individuals, businesses and non-profit organisations. Separate monthly account fees apply to business and non-profit accounts.

Do I need to be a certain age to join?

Yes. TrydaNi currently cannot accept drivers under 25 or people aged 80 and over because of its insurance requirements.

Do I need a smartphone?

Cars are normally booked and unlocked through the TrydaNi app. TrydaNi says it can also help people who do not have a smartphone to access the service.

Is charging included?

Electricity is included for the first 100 miles of a booking. You may need to pay if you charge the car elsewhere during a longer journey.

Can I use a TrydaNi car from another club?

Yes. Once you become a member, you can book available vehicles across the TrydaNi network.

Can my community apply for its own electric car club?

Yes. Individuals, town councils, social enterprises and other community organisations can register their interest with TrydaNi.

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