Zimbl’s community EV hire and charging service is gaining momentum, with Haddenham (Buckinghamshire) the latest location to launch a successful Z-Base operation, part of the company’s mobility, community and sustainable energy service portfolio.

The initiative, backed by Haddenham Parish Council, was created to support the village’s and net zero ambitions and tackle transport emissions in a way that works for a rural community.

After an earlier arrangement with a local hire firm proved unsustainable due to high booking-system fees, the council agreed a new partnership with Zimbl, reflecting its differentiated approach of delivering vehicles direct to customers’ doors. Under the agreement, Zimbl provides two cars, manages bookings and employs a local resident to deliver vehicles, while the parish council provides a dedicated EV charging bay and has underwritten any first-year shortfall. Once the operation moves into profit, the council and Zimbl will share profits.

Haddenham follows Zimbl’s Banbury pilot, now featuring 15 off-grid-charged EVs, 2,500+ users 7,000+ bookings, with research indicating 20% of active users avoided buying a car because Zimbl is available. Licences to operate are also now in place across Oxfordshire, including Chipping Norton, Redbridge, Woodstock and Bicester.

As a result of an article in The Clerk magazine which goes out to all the Town Clerks throughout the UK, Zimbl has had a strong response from multiple town and parish councils looking to replicate the Haddenham model.