Toyota UK is providing a fleet of 25 self-charging Yaris Hybrids to help launch a new carsharing initiative in Bristol.

It is providing the compact cars in a partnership agreement with Hiyacar, a peer-to-peer carsharing business that it has already worked with in London. 

Since its launch as a car sharing scheme in 2016, Hiyacar has grown to more than 100,000 members who can make use of vehicles in London and Brighton. It has chosen Bristol as the next center for its service due to the city’s focus on sustainability and a growing demand for car-sharing as the U.K. eases out of its Covid-19 restrictions.

The Toyota Yaris' full hybrid system means they can run in slow-moving city traffic for short distances on electric power alone, with no emissions or fuel consumption. Unlike all-electric vehicles, they don’t have to be recharged and users don’t have to worry about the length of their journey.

In the interests of safety and hygiene, Hiyacar has appointed a professional supplier to ensure all the cars are thoroughly sanitised after each booking.