Missing the freedom of owning a car, Irish expat Rebecca Taylor, an Industrial designer (28) based in Amsterdam, noticed that one of her Dutch neighbours was using a Greenwheels car. She checked out the Greenwheels website and decided to join.

"I found the initial outlay wasn't too much, and decided it was worth taking the risk," says Rebecca, who wasn't fazed by the all-Dutch language instructions. "I understood a third of it and went for it anyhow," she says.  

To begin, the customer must fill in an online application form and – once their driving license is verified, they receive a chip card and a pin code through the post.

Rebecca finds the system easy to use. "You put the card into the dash - enter a pin number for extra security and then the glove compartment opens and you take out the key," she says

Affordable

The price is reasonable, too. "You have to pay a deposit, about EUR 225. I had an NS Voordeelurenkaart (rail travel reduction card), which gave me a discount. The company's made lucrative deals with the train systems and local councils based on their green philosophy. In the end I was just paying EUR 12.50 a month as a subscription fee for myself and my boyfriend," she says.

Honour system

Car users are charged per hour – the price varies between on and off-peak times, and for petrol, per kilometre. Users are expected to fill up the car when the tank is less than a quarter full. "You use the card at the petrol station and the amount is charged directly to the Greenwheels account," says Rebecca.

Rebecca feels that that the average EUR 20 she spends to use the cars every now and then is affordable. She is also sold on the convenience of the system. Her nearest pick-up point is at the end of her street, plus the cars are parked close by railway stations.

Penalties

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