Zipcars

Zipcars is a car-sharing service that provides members with access to a network of vehicles on a pay-as-you-go basis. Vehicles are parked in reserved spots in urban areas and campuses. Members reserve cars by the hour or day using a mobile app, website, or phone, and unlock the vehicle with a Zipcard or the app. Fuel, insurance, and roadside assistance are typically included in the rates, and users return the car to its designated spot when finished.

Zipcar was founded in 2000 by Robin Chase and Antje Danielson in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and helped pioneer self-service neighborhood car sharing in the United States. It expanded across U.S. cities, parts of Canada and Europe. In 2013, Avis Budget Group acquired Zipcar for about 500 million dollars and integrated it into its car rental operations.

The Zipcar fleet includes a range of vehicles, from compact cars to sedans and small SUVs, with some markets offering hybrid or electric models. Pricing is typically hourly with a daily cap, and fuel is prepaid up to a limit. Members are billed for time and mileage, with additional charges for late returns, cleanup, or policy violations.

The service aims to reduce private car ownership and promote urban mobility by providing flexible access to vehicles without the costs of ownership, parking, or maintenance. Zipcar operates primarily in urban centers in North America and Europe, often in collaboration with universities, employers, or municipal programs.

Operation relies on digital platforms and vehicle telematics to locate, reserve, and manage keys and access. The model has influenced the broader car-sharing and on-demand mobility sectors and faces challenges such as vehicle availability, maintenance needs, and parking compliance.