Reading has become the latest UK university to offer students a car sharing programme through a partnership with Hertz Connect. More than 18,000 students are set to benefit from the new scheme which will give them access to the environmentally-friendly Fiat 500 Connect, day and night.

Reading University, which is one of the top research facilities in Britain, will provide the cars on campus for just £3.95 an hour. This includes extras such as the London congestion charge and insurance, and the first £50 annual join up fee will be waivered for all staff and students.

The environmentally conscious at the university will no doubt be pleased to hear that the Fiat 500 has a very low carbon output of less than 120g for every kilometre driven. It is also equipped with an anti-pollution system that lowers the engine’s activity when the car is at a standstill.

For the more entertainment conscious, however, the cars will also be equipped with all the modern gizmos and gadgets, such as a voice-activated sound system and input points of iPods and MP3 players.

Hertz president, Michel Taride, said the new partnership, which will be properly launched during the university’s Green Week next month, shows how educational institutions are becoming increasingly concerned about their impact on the environment. He added that many universities all over the world are now looking towards car sharing programmes.

Denise Shearman, Reading’s head of campus, said the scheme will also benefit the local community by reducing the need for all students to have cars and therefore freeing up parking spaces and reducing congestion. She added that Reading University is always looking for ways to reduce its carbon footprint.