Eco-friendly vehicles arrive in York

9:01am Tuesday 12th December 2006

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THE first of York's pay by the hour cars have arrived.

York residents can finally get their hands on a pay by the hour car after the company behind the scheme, WhizzGo, has taken delivery of a fleet of specially adapted Citron C3's.

York St John University is the first corporate member to sign up to the eco-friendly club.

As part of a partnership between the WhizzGo car club and City of York Council, the Citron C3 Stop & Start cars will help to reduce CO2 emissions and cut urban fuel bills.

The cutting edge Stop & Start technology turns the engine off as the vehicle comes to a halt and then restarts the engine in only 400 milliseconds the moment the driver takes their foot from the brake pedal.

York will also benefit from quieter streets as the car's 1.4 litre 16 valve petrol engine will be silent whenever the C3 Stop & Start is at a standstill.

The secret behind the technology is a reversible alternator that acts as a standard alternator and starter motor in one.

Charlotte Morton, managing director of WhizzGo, said: "We know that York residents and businesses are really forward thinking about the impact their cars have on the environment, so the new Stop & Start will be a popular addition to the WhizzGo fleet.

"Winning awards for their green initiatives, Citron is the perfect partner to ensure that we provide our customers with the very best vehicles that are efficient and have a minimal impact on the environment".

Richard Bogg, from City of York Council, added: "Residents told us that they wanted to be able to use environmentally friendly vehicles at the club and for them to be available only ten weeks after its initial launch is fantastic.

"We anticipate that the Stop & Starts will set the standard for expanding the club and hope to see the vehicles installed in new developments across the city."

Dianne Willcocks, vice chancellor of York St John University said it was committed to improving the environment for its students, staff and the local community She said: "We are keen to engage in ideas that help us to rethink the way we travel to and from work and use transport during work."

For car club members, using a WhizzGo car costs no more than £4.95 per hour and this price includes fully comprehensive insurance, 30 free miles a day and 24-hour breakdown assistance.

The cars, which are Citroen C3 hatchbacks and Picasso MPVs, are located in council car parks and on-street at the following locations: Union Terrace car park, St. Leonard's Place car park, Peel Street car park, Nunnery Lane car park, Bishopthorpe Road car park and Fulford Road, on street.

To join WhizzGo, visit www.WhizzGo.co.uk or phone 0870 44 66 000.

How to use the cars

• Register by phoning 0870 44 66 000 or go online to www.WhizzGo.co.uk and pay a one-off £25 membership fee and a fully refundable insurance deposit of £125.

• Go online, log in and select your city, location and vehicle and time, or phone WhizzGo to book your nearest car by phone.

• Pick up a smart card and PIN and go to your vehicle.

Hold your smart card over the windscreen reader to unlock the doors.

• Jump in, enter your PIN into the onboard computer, take the keys from the glovebox and go.