Press Release: Monday, 24 October 2022
A money-saving, environmentally-focused vehicle comparison website to launch amidst cost of living crisis
Karfu’s mission is to save people money, time and to help them explore more sustainable vehicles - emerging from stealth today - with a planned launch in 2022
After four years of research, Karfu.com is being launched later this year as a completely new way to guide consumers to the best vehicle or access option based on their needs, location, budget, preferences and their concern for their vehicle’s environmental impact. A waiting list is now open, supported by mobility news and content, ahead of Karfu’s planned launch of the comparison service later this year.
As an impartial comparison website, Karfu will uniquely compare all vehicle types, including Cars, Vans, Pick-ups, Motorcycles, Mopeds, Bicycles and Scooters. It also compares their fuels, including petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric and human, and the range of access options available, including Buying (including Finance), Leasing, Subscription, Sharing, Rental, Ride Hailing, Ride Sharing and Mobility-as-a-Service.
Karfu compares the breadth of these ‘mobility’ options through its quick and easy interactive tool, which asks consumers questions about their usage patterns, budget and preferred vehicle types. Karfu then uses its extensive vehicle database to present personalised results based on their individual circumstances and needs.
With each search result, Karfu presents its innovative ‘Total Cost of Use’ calculation to allow consumers to compare diverse options across ownership to usership and make a better, more informed decision.
Unlike other vehicle comparison sites, Karfu has also developed a unique vehicle environmental life-cycle assessment, including production, delivery, use and recycling, so consumers can see the true environmental impact of their choices.
Sam Ellis, Karfu’s Co-founder and CEO, said:
“For many in the UK, this is the first time they have seen a significant impact on their cost of living due to factors completely beyond their control. Karfu is coming soon to help people save money and time when trying to find the right vehicle, and ultimately the planet, by helping them learn and switch to more sustainable options.
Notes to editors:
Karfu was founded in 2019 by Samuel Ellis and Dominic Thomas. The idea emerged after Sam and Dominic researched the Mobility industry during their Executive MBA studies at Imperial College Business School. They found with the explosion of vehicle and mobility choices now available, it was difficult and frustrating for people to compare new and traditional options directly on a like for like basis and find value.
They wanted to help people make sensible financial decisions based on their individual circumstances and budget, to ensure they understood the potential environmental impact of their choices, and encourage take-up of more sustainable and active travel based vehicles. Disillusioned by their previous corporate experiences, Karfu was born out of a desire to create a responsible, sustainable and ethical business that benefited both consumers and the businesses looking to provide mobility products, services and technologies to them. They are committed to Karfu being impartial and agnostic in its recommendations, with the website accepting no sponsors or advertisers to ensure a level playing field for all.
Karfu is 1 of 5 businesses selected for the FCA’s Green FinTech Challenge and approved for the Regulatory Sandbox in 2022. They were successful in applications to join Catapult's Milton Keynes Accelerator, London & Partners Business Growth Programme and the NatWest Accelerator. Karfu is a Certified B-Corporation, a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit that makes them legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment. Karfu is certified by The Planet Mark and a member of the SME Climate Hub, Tech Zero and Cambridge Cleantech initiatives.
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Product overviews, screenshots, company logos, founder biographies and photos, a consumer explainer video and more can be accessed at this link.