Whizzgo

Infobox Company
company_name = WhizzGo
company_
company_type = Corporation
foundation = 2001
location = Leeds, United Kingdom
key_people = Charlotte Morton, Managing DirectorSteve Gregory, Commercial Director Liam Grant, National Marketing Manager
industry = Automotive
products = Pay-by-the-hour cars
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees = 35
parent =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.whizzgo.co.uk/ www.whizzgo.co.uk]
footnotes =

WhizzGo is a United Kingdom car sharing network Car Club providing pay-by-the-hour cars in 15 cities. Pay-by-the-hour cars are provided including insurance, tax, fuel, maintenance and the Congestion Charge for London cars. WhizzGo advertises a "cheaper, simpler and greener" way to use a car whenever you want one. In 2007, WhizzGo won "Best Leasing/rental company of the year" [cite web | url=http://www.greenfleetawards.co.uk/awards/leasing-rental-company-of-the-year.aspx | author=GreenFleet | title=Leasing/rental company of the year | accessdate=2007-11-16] and "Private Sector Fleet of the year". [cite web | url=http://www.greenfleetawards.co.uk/awards/private-sector-fleet-of-the-year.aspx |author=GreenFleet | title=Private sector fleet of the year | accessdate=2007-11-16] in the GreenFleet awards.

The concept

WhizzGo provides a city-wide fleet of low emission cars that are located in designated on-street bays across city centres so that they are within walking distance of customers. [cite web | url=http://www.whizzgo.co.uk/index.cfm | title=Whizzgo website] WhizzGo is dedicated to offering an environmentally sustainable service, reducing pollution and congestion by:
*Using Citroën cars, chosen for their low carbon emissions. Citroën won the "Greenest Manufacturer of the year" award, 2007 for the second years in a row. [cite web |url=http://www.greenfleetawards.co.uk/awards/car-manufacturer-of-the-year.aspx | author=Green Fleet | title=Car manufacturer of the year 2007 | accessdate=2007-11-16]
*Reducing the amount of time drivers spend behind the wheel.
*Exploring alternative technologies to keep emissions low; including LPG, Biodiesel, Petrol/Electric Hybrid vehicles and Stop-Start technology.

Since July 2007, Whizzgo is in a partnership with Virgin Trains. [cite web|url=http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/buy_tickets/travel_connections/whizzgo/default.aspx | title= Virgin trains and Whizzgo | accessdate=2007-11-16]

The technology

WhizzGo members are issued a "WhizzGo smart card" which is held against a sensor in the windscreen of the vehicle to unlock the doors. Members enter their 4 digit PIN into the on-board computer, disabling the immobiliser so that they may take the keys from the glove compartment and drive.

Locations

Whizzgo operates in the following UK cities and towns:
*London
*Leeds
*Brighton
*Southampton
*York
*Manchester
*Liverpool
*Newcastle
*Sheffield
*Birmingham
*Worcester
*St Albans
*Belfast
*Winchester

[https://www.whizzgo.co.uk/carlocations/index.htm Whizzgo Website Map]

WhizzGo membership

Members pay an annual membership fee and then can pay-as-they-go or join one of the value packages.

References