Neighborhoods sought for e-car sharing project

Bocholt is taking part in a regional campaign on the subject of e-car sharing. Neighborhoods that want to gain experience with e-mobility can apply until August 19. In Bocholt, neighborhood projects can be supported that are located outside the core city. These are the outer areas of Biemenhorst, Mussum, Lowick, Holtwick, Liedern, Stenern, Hemden, Spork, Suderwick and Barlo. This is provided for in the LEADER funding regulations.

Since no one in rural areas wants to give up their second or third car without a good alternative, the LEADER region along the Bocholter Aa has launched the project "Neighborhood car sharing in residential areas". According to a mobility study conducted in 2015, more than one in three households in the district of Borken owns a second car, 7% even three or more cars.

Households with children are the most likely to have two or more cars. However, the benefits of the second car with a high degree of flexibility are also offset by many disadvantages: For the most part, the car just sits around, takes up space, consumes considerable resources and is also quite expensive: on average, a second car incurs costs of at least 200-400 euros.

Mayor Kerkhoff: "Testing a forward-looking project in Bocholt".

"Especially in rural areas, many citizens are dependent on a passenger car. The model project offers us the opportunity to test a forward-looking project in Bocholt and thus make a contribution to climate protection," says Bocholt Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff. "In addition, it offers the chance of cost reduction for participating households. Especially with the current sharp rise in consumption prices, this is a welcome effect."

Therefore, the LEADER project aims to interrupt the trend of increasing motorization and, in perspective, to reduce the number of second and third cars. For this purpose, an alternative and at the same time sustainable mobility offer with high flexibility is to be tested: In 10 selected neighborhoods (two per municipality), two e-cars will be available for one year each. The installation of charging infrastructure in the form of charging columns is also part of the funding project. These will remain in the neighborhoods beyond the pilot phase and will also be made public afterwards so that other citizens can benefit from them. During the operational phase, experience will be gathered with the aim of establishing a long-term car-sharing model for the region.

"The project clearly has a different approach than "normal" car sharing," says Alexander Jaegers from the regional management. "It is intended to have a direct impact on the ground in the neighborhoods to offer participating households good accessibility and a high level of convenience." The two vehicles are more flexible and available due to the limited number of participants.

As of now, associations of six to ten households in close proximity (same/adjacent street) can apply to participate in this project as a neighborhood. The prerequisite is that the interested neighborhoods submit a short application form digitally to the regional management by August 19. "Anyone who is interested in the topic of e-mobility and has a desire to participate in an innovative and local model project should definitely round up their neighbors and get them excited about the idea," says Alexander Jaegers from Regional Management. "In this way, citizens can help shape the sustainable development of mobility in the region and make an active contribution to the transport revolution," he adds.

Apply online

The application form and other general and technical information about the project are available for download on the LEADER region's website(https:/region-bocholter-aa.de or direct link to the application). In addition, two digital information events are planned to give interested parties the opportunity to enter into direct exchange with those involved in the project. The dates and access data for the online events will be published shortly on the website of the LEADER region.

The selection of the participating districts is expected to take place at the beginning of September.
will take place.

The project is still subject to approval by the district government of
Münster.

Contact

LEADER regional management:
LEADER office "Bocholter Aa
c/o projaegt gmbh
Schorlemerstrasse 48
48683 Ahaus
Tel: 02561 / 91 71 69 0
Mail: regionalmanagement(at)leader-bocholter-aa(dot)de