TrydaNi launches first phase of its electric car club network

Today, TrydaNi – a non-profit Community Benefit Society supported by the Welsh Government – is launching the first phase of a new electric car club network that will serve large parts of rural Wales.

Its new website at trydani.org explains all the details of the network’s existing car clubs, and how communities and individuals can express interest in setting up their own local club.

Members can join via the website and once approved are able to download an app that helps them find and book vehicles, with no need for a physical key. 

TrydaNi brings together a number of existing projects including two long-established car clubs in Mid Wales – Machynlleth and Llanidloes – which transitioned to electric vehicles under the name TripTo, and are now part of the TrydaNi network.

The new service launching today also incorporates the learnings of a two-year Lottery-funded project called “Charge Up Wales”, which has been incubated and tested by Community Energy Wales and its network of community energy partners.

In March, the Welsh Government announced funding of £1m for TrydaNi and its community finance partner, Robert Owen Community Banking. The money is being used to establish the network of clubs so that communities across Wales can trial the new service and explore low-carbon, low-cost alternatives to conventional car ownership.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said:

“I am delighted that the Welsh Government has been able to fund this scheme. Projects like this are vital and their importance cannot be underestimated, particularly in rural communities.”

TrydaNi’s long-term vision is for the electric vehicles in its network to be powered by locally-generated community renewables, keeping costs low and boosting Wales’ energy independence.

To accompany the launch of the new website, two new clubs are going live in December in partnership with local community organisations. 

Partneriaeth Ogwen is helping to launch a new club in Bethesda (having previously partnered with the English car-sharing service Co-Wheels) and Eco Hub Aber is launching its club in Aberystwyth (joining nearby clubs in Machynlleth and Penryhn-Coch), alongside its other community sustainability initiatives such as E-bike hire and regular repair cafes. 

In a departure from the conventional car club model, TrydaNi members can benefit from the fact that after joining a local club, it’s possible to use any vehicle in the TrydaNi network via the same app that they use locally. 

As a non-profit Community Benefit Society, community ownership is key to TrydaNi’s long-term vision. During 2025 TrydaNi will further expand its network and launch its full community ownership vision so that members can have a say in the decisions that affect their local club and the wider network.