Co-Wheels is a UK car club and social enterprise (CIC) offering back-to-bay car and van hire by the hour or day, with fuel included for petrol/hybrids and standard insurance bundled. It has strong coverage outside London, including many small/medium cities and university towns.
Typical small-car pricing is from about £5.50/hour plus ~23p/mile but rates vary by car and city. You must return to the same bay (or within a defined zone where used) you collected the car from. Co-Wheels have a focus on electric cars and see themselves as a greener alternative to other car clubs.
Probably best for drivers who want an affordable, UK-wide alternative to ownership, as well as an interest in keeping their carbon footprint low, especially outside London.
- Pros: social-enterprise operator; strong coverage beyond London; fuel card included on petrol/hybrids; straightforward app unlock on most cars; optional CDW to lower excess.
- Cons: no one-way Flex; mileage fees add up on longer trips; rapid/paid EV charging not included; availability/prices vary by city and vehicle.
Key Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | £10 one-off on Basic and Young Driver plans |
| Membership options | Basic (no monthly fee), Standard (£5/month), Young Driver add-on (£7/month) |
| Hourly/day rates (from) | Toyota Aygo at £5.50/h or £44/day; Yaris Hybrid £6.50/h or £52/day; Corolla Hybrid £7.40/h or £59.20/day (location/vehicle dependent) |
| Per-mile charges | Mileage fee applies (varies by vehicle; often £0.23/mile for petrol/hybrids). EV rapid/paid charging not covered |
| Fuel/charging included? | Fuel for petrol/hybrids via Allstar card included; please refill to at least ¼–full as instructed. Public rapid/paid EV charging isn’t covered |
| Insurance/excess | Insurance included. Standard excess £800 (cars) / £1,000 (vans). Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) optional: £100/year or £10/month to reduce excess to £100 |
| Minimum age/licence | 19+ and full licence held 12+ months; under-25s must have a clean licence; 26+ up to 6 points (no single 6-point offence). Further restrictions for 9+ seaters and some postcodes |
| Deposit | No standard, publicly listed deposit for ordinary hires; your card is typically charged 2 hours before the booking starts and mileage after |
| Cancellation | Free up to 2 hours before start; within 2 hours or after start, full reservation cost charged |
| Customer support | Phone line listed for out-of-hours and emergencies (implies 24/7 phone support) |
| App platforms | iOS and Android |
What Co-Wheels is & How it Works
Co-Wheels is a pay-as-you-go car club.
You book in the app or online, unlock with your smartphone/smartcard, drive, then return to the same bay (or within a signed “virtual zone” where used) and end your booking.
Fuel for petrol/hybrid cars is covered via the fuel card in the vehicle, but rapid/paid EV charging isn’t covered.
You’ll see and accept the hourly/day rate plus a mileage fee. Insurance is included, with an excess unless you buy a collision damage waiver.
Where Co-Wheels is Available (UK)
Co-Wheels focuses on widespread coverage outside London, with cars in dozens of towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales (e.g., Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Newcastle, Durham, Manchester/Salford, Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol, Exeter, Reading, Orkney).
Co-Wheels’ claim to be active in 70+ UK locations with more than 600 cars available. Check the live map for exact bays and virtual zones.
No dedicated airport network is advertised.
Vehicles & Fleet
Expect small city cars (e.g., Toyota Aygo), hybrids (Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid), and vans in some locations.
Many vehicles have ISOFIX, but you will need to bring and fit your own child seat (not supplied).
Pets aren’t allowed except registered assistance dogs (contact support first).
Pricing & Fees
Membership plans are as follows:
- Basic (no monthly fee)
- Standard (£5/month)
- Young Driver add-on (£7/month).
A £10 joining fee applies on Basic/Young Driver.
Hourly/day rates and mileage vary by car and city. Several vehicle guides show examples from £5.50–£7.40 per hour and ~£44–£59.20 per day plus ~£0.23/mile for petrol/hybrids. Fuel card is included for petrol/hybrids but EV rapid/paid charging is excluded.
Other potential charges include fines/cleaning where rules aren’t followed, and you pay any tolls/Congestion Charge/ULEZ due.
Pricing Examples
| Scenario | Example vehicle | Time | Miles | Hire cost | Mileage | Approx total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short errand (weekday) | Toyota Aygo | 2 h | 10 | £11.00 | £2.30 | £13.30 |
| Grocery run (weekday, hybrid) | Toyota Yaris Hybrid | 2 h | 10 | £13.00 | £2.30 | £15.30 |
| Day trip (hybrid) | Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 24 h | 50 | £59.20 | £11.50 | £70.70 |
Figures above use the rates shown in vehicle help pages (Aygo £5.50/h & £44/day; Yaris £6.50/h & £52/day; Corolla £7.40/h & £59.20/day; mileage £0.23/mile). Your city/vehicle may differ.
Insurance & Excess
Standard insurance is included.
Default excess is currently £800 for cars and £1,000 for vans. Optional Collision Damage Waiver costs £100/year or £10/month and lowers the excess to £100.
Breakdown support is arranged via Co-Wheels’ provider.
Eligibility & Sign-Up
You must be 19+ and have held a full licence for at least 12 months. Under-25s must have a clean licence; 26+ can have up to 6 points (not from a single 6-point offence).
Some postcode restrictions apply for under-25s, and additional restrictions apply to 9+ seaters.
Sign-up is online. After verification (including DVLA check/ID) you can book in the app or web.
Unique Selling Points vs Rivals
Co-Wheels is a Community Interest Company/social enterprise with a strong footprint in smaller towns, cities and university locations, often where other car clubs are thin on the ground. It includes fuel for petrol/hybrids and leans heavily on hybrids/EVs.
Versus Zipcar: Zipcar’s Flex one-way service and denser London/South coverage can be more convenient in the capital, but Co-Wheels’ presence differs in many non-London areas. Versus Enterprise Car Club: Enterprise has very broad national coverage and is predominantly back-to-bay, whereas Co-Wheels’ social-enterprise model and presence in specific councils/universities can be the differentiator at a local level.
Who it’s Best For
Drivers who live outside central London or in university/council areas served by Co-Wheels, who want a low-commitment alternative to ownership for short hops, errands, and occasional day trips where returning to the same bay is fine.
Best for: budget-minded, UK-wide users (especially outside London) who don’t need one-way trips and want fuel-included simplicity.
Common Mistakes
- Return rules: It’s a back-to-bay club. Where “virtual zones” exist, you must still return within the zone and park legally.
- Fuel/charging: Use the in-car fuel card to refill as instructed, however, rapid/paid EV charging is your cost.
- Fees/fines: Standard fine of £25 for rule breaches, with cleaning and other costs can be added per T&Cs.
- Tolls/charges: You must pay toll roads and London Congestion Charge/ULEZ where applicable.
FAQs
Can I do one-way trips?
No—Co-Wheels is back-to-bay. Some areas use “virtual zones” but you still finish within the defined zone.
Do I pay for fuel?
Petrol/hybrid fuel is covered via the Allstar card in the car. EV rapid/paid charging is not covered.
How/when am I charged?
Hire cost is usually charged 2 hours before the start. Mileage and adjustments typically within 24 hours after.
What’s the excess and can I reduce it?
Standard excess £800 (cars) / £1,000 (vans). Optional CDW (£100/year or £10/month) reduces excess to £100.
What are the minimum requirements?
Aged 19+ and full licence held for 12+ months. Under 25s must have clean licenses, while those aged 26+ up to 6 points are allowed. Further restrictions apply in specific cases.
Are pets or child seats allowed?
Pets aren’t allowed (assistance dogs excepted). You supply and fit your own child seat and many cars have ISOFIX.
Who pays London charges?
You do—Congestion Charge/ULEZ/tolls are the driver’s responsibility.
Is support available out of hours?
The contact page lists an out-of-hours/emergencies phone line.