EasyCar Club has launched a peer-to-peer van sharing service, which it claims is the first in the UK. 

The service, which is free to join, capitalises on the growing trend for sharing and renting rather than owning vans.

EasyCar Club claims to offer significant savings compared to traditional van hire. Other benefits include flexible pick-up and drop-off times, no 24 hour minimum hire period and time savings at pick-up.

Companies can join as either van owners or renters. However, van owners must not own more than one van, making it more suitable for sole traders rather than fleet operators. 

From a Transit to a Kangoo, EasyCar Club accepts most van types under 3.5 tonnes, up to 10 years old and with a replacement value of under £25,000. 

All drivers are vetted by EasyCar Club when applying to join the Club, and owners can accept or reject all requests to hire their van. Owners set their own availability and choose their own pricing.

There are no joining fees or annual membership fees and EasyCar Club’s comprehensive insurance package protects the owner’s vehicle (and no claims discount) for the period of the rental.

Richard Laughton, CEO of EasyCar, said: “By adding vans to our offering, we are making EasyCar Club even more convenient for our members.

"The service now allows van owners to capitalise on their van when it’s not in use and to make money by providing a genuinely useful service to their local community. easyCar Club makes renting a van a streamlined and simple process. The service rewards both owners and drivers, offering increased convenience, choice and peace-of-mind and, most importantly, a way to make and save money.”