Køge Kommune (Køge Municipality) is the first municipality in Denmark that joined a car-sharing club: "Køge Delebil" (Køge Car Sharing Club). A car sharing club has one or more cars that can be booked and used by members only.
Project
Køge Kommune joined the club in 2006 after an economic assessment of the municipality's own fleet. The cars drove very little and were not efficiently used.
Køge Kommune joined the car sharing club for two major reasons: First, to optimise the use of municipal vehicles, by giving employees the option of using a car sharing car and thus reducing the need to use private vehicles at work. In this connection also to encourage the use of bicycle whenever possible: "Take the bike to work and use the car sharing car when necessary!" Secondly, to promote car sharing in the municipality for the benefit of the environment.
The fact that Køge Kommune joined the club, was a great advantage for "Køge Delebil". Now, cars are used more efficiently because Køge Kommune and other corporate members prefer to use the cars during work hours, while private members usually prefer evening and weekend.
Car sharing means the sharing of one or more cars. Once you have booked the car, it's yours to use and drive. Afterwards you pay for the time and the distance you have used the car.
Process
"Køge Delebil" and Køge Municipality have from the beginning had to clarify the cooperation. Membership conditions, keys, parking and numerous other issues. Det Grønne Hus (Agenda 21 centre – Køge) has been the facilitator in this process.
For the employees at the the town hall, it took a long time to get used to the new option offered through "Køge Delebil". It is a new concept, a new booking system and so on. Work is ongoing to improve the system.
The result is that the 7 car sharing cars are used by 4 departments with 14 offices plus a number of schools, daycare centres and other municipal institutions (i.e. the museum, the music school etc.).
Financing
Køge Delebil is nonprofit and financed by the members. The project was partly financed by the EU Project Competence, which was completed in 2004-2006.
Status and results
The project has provided a mapping of obstacles in the new regime. One of the barriers was being able to see the benefits of an Internet-based system which is only visible when you are actively using it. The advantage is that you can reserve a car wherever you are, only you have access to the Internet. Similarly, one can even extend its booking online if you are out for a meeting and can not go home.
Other barriers were myths about car sharing is always booked, the system is cumbersome and difficult, etc. All of prejudices to be overcome by providing a telephone hotline and dissemination of information about the system.
"Køge Delebil" and Det Grønne Hus arranges tours with car sharing in Køge and tells about the club concept, the municipality's membership, booking and lease agreements with local dealers, and rental agreements with Hertz and Avis.
Contact
Det Grønne Hus
Vestergade 3C
DK-4600 Køge
Tel. +45 56 67 60 70
E-mail kontakt@detgroennehus.dk