Zipcar UK puts city dwellers in the driving seat

Car sharing scheme provides eco-friendly, cost-effective access to transport, which helps urban residents get from A to B
Zipcar near Tower Bridge, London
Zipcars are available hourly or daily throughout London and other UK cities. PR

Zipcar UK, the pioneering pay-as-you-drive car sharing club, which launched in 2000, now has a network of 1,500 vehicles on the streets of London, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford.

Car sharing has come of age and is now helping people get from A to B quickly, conveniently, cost-effectively and with a much lighter environmental footprint.

Zipcar's success comes from its focus on urban environments with existing, solid public transport infrastructures, giving people who no longer wish to own a car an alternative for journeys that involve difficult routes, contingency plans or heavy loads.

Cars can be hired by the hour or by the day from locations close to where people live and work.

With most cars in large cities sitting idle for the majority of the time, car ownership has become increasingly redundant, as well as financially prohibitive. Not only that, the concept of sharing goods and services that would otherwise be unaffordable or seldom used is a new way of thinking.

What also makes Zipcar attractive to the urban dweller is the extent of its fleet and the tools being used to manage the service, day-to-day. Self-service mobile technology enables drivers to set up an account, search for a local vehicle, book and even unlock their hire car using the Zipcar app.

Behind that interface, a service team supports customers 365 days a year with issues such as car location, breakdowns or accidents. A 60-strong management team runs the fuel-efficient fleet of cars, all of which are under two years old to minimise harmful emissions.

The benefits are significant: 28% of members have reduced the number of cars owned since joining; 25% report they have put off buying a car; and 62% say they are less likely to purchase one in future.

Car club members in London, for example, say they drive less, use public transport more and 33% cycle at least once a week. And while car club vehicles emit 20% less CO2 per km than average vehicles, a typical Zipcar member will save up to £3,000 a year in car running costs.

As well as making a positive impact on the environment, Zipcar expects to see a future where car sharing members outnumber car owners in major cities and residents all live within a five to 10-minute walk of a self-service car hire facility.

Working with urban planning authorities, the company also aims to help create communities of well-informed, well-connected people who know how to get around in the most sustainable ways.

Zipcar's strategy includes establishing car sharing facilities for all future university campuses, urban, residential and commercial developments. It aims to offer a service to individuals and businesses that is cost-effective, convenient and sustainable.

Ultimately, Zipcar hopes car sharing will support vibrant communities of people who enjoy urban life and want sustainable transport options.

Lynn Beavis is part of the wordworks network
