Passengers, staff and local residents can now reserve and pick up a 100% electric car at Gatwick Airport, and return it to any of 300 compatible pick-up/drop-off points across London or back at Gatwick.
The service is being rolled out in partnership with Bluecity, which operates a pan-London electric vehicle car sharing service with 100 cars currently available in total. Discussions are also ongoing with local authorities and business groups about expanding the network further in London and in areas surrounding the airport.
Operating in a similar way to existing cycle schemes across London, 10 cars and charging points are currently available on Gatwick’s South Terminal forecourt. This is Bluecity’s first airport hub and discussions are in progress to increase capacity.
The new point-to-point service gives people using the airport a convenient, zero emissions travel option for getting directly on and off the airport. Customers able to reserve a car in seconds via the Bluecity app. Local residents are also encouraged to use the service and Gatwick staff have been offered the opportunity to trial the service for free.
The four-seater’s drive from central London to the front of the airport will cost around £15 in moderate traffic.
Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer, Guy Stephenson, said: “Gatwick leads the way on airport innovation and this UK airport first not only offers a new, flexible option for getting on and off the airport, it also improves air quality.
“When it comes to electric car sharing schemes, few companies have experienced the success of Bluecity and its parent company. Given the popular demand for similar electric car sharing services in other parts of the world, this new service has the potential to take off in the UK and we are proud to be at the forefront of this transport revolution.”
