Families, friends and neighbours across Leeds are being encouraged to collaborate in a unique three-week experiment exploring new ways to access cars without owning them.
The “Car When We Need It” initiative is part of a £7.8 million research project led by the University of Leeds’ Institute for Transport Studies (ITS), designed to inspire residents to rethink private vehicle ownership and trial shared mobility solutions.
The experiment invites between 30 and 50 households to participate this November, offering two innovative options. In the first, groups of two or more households share access to one member’s car using an app-based platform, allowing the vehicle to be loaned to others in the group.
The second option gives participants access to a hire car for one to three pre-agreed days each week. In both cases, participants will pause use of their own vehicles during the trial and receive thank-you payments for their involvement.
Researchers will collect and analyse data to understand participants’ experiences—examining how they used the shared cars and what improvements they would like to see. This feedback will help inform the development of more flexible, community-driven transport models, potentially integrating e-bikes, taxis, or other shared services.
The “Car When We Need It” experiment forms part of the wider INFUZE (Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility) project, which aims to co-design sustainable transport solutions with local communities.
By working with partners including the Royal College of Art and Lancaster University, the study seeks to create practical, low-carbon alternatives to car ownership—such as car clubs, responsive bus services, and shared micromobility options.
Ultimately, the project could engage up to 400 Leeds households and pave the way for a national centre of excellence in low-carbon mobility.
Greg Marsden, Professor of Transport Governance at the University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies, is leading the project. He said: ‘If you’ve ever wondered what a world where people did not need to own their own cars might look like, we would love you to get involved.
‘People have told us they are really worried about the number of cars on the streets around them, but that they also value the flexibility of the car for some journeys. We want people to try out some options which mean they can have the convenience of a car without the hassle of ownership.
‘If these ideas work then we really could give space back to communities for play or green space. We are looking for people who are willing to have a go and tell us how it goes and what else might make it better.’
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