We’ve always been keen on green schemes here in the UK, looking to save money wherever we can – but now the ideas are catching on all around the world.

The latest example is in Israel, where new Israeli company Car2go has followed the classic Israeli collective community of kibbutz, where members share everything, by introducing an urban car sharing service.

Car2go members can pick up an electronic card, which grants access to the company’s fleet. Before using the car you simply reserve it online or over the phone and then pick it up at a designated spot. You can use it for the length of time permitted (or longer if you let the company know) and then return the car to another designated spot that’s convenient for you.

Basically the car sharing scheme works in the same way as car rental in that the vehicles are rented by the hour. However, it removes the needs for private ownership, especially for those who only use a vehicle on rare occasions.

Effectively, car rental becomes a form of public transportation – leading to fewer cars crowding the streets and reducing vehicle emissions.

If you’d like more information on the car sharing schemes here in the UK – known as green car clubs – check out this guide.