ZIPCAR

'Zipcar' is a for-profit, membership-based carsharing company providing automobile rental to its members, billable by the hour or day. Zipcar was founded in 1999 by Cambridge, Massachusetts, residents Robin Chase and Antje Danielson.

Contents

Membership details

University, organization and business partnerships

History

Criticism

See also

External links

Membership details

Members, called "zipsters", are able to view vehicle availability and reserve a self-service car via the internet or by telephone, in increments as short as one hour and pay only for time they reserve; at least 180 miles are included in each reservation (180 miles are provided in each 24 hour period ^[1]). Each vehicle has a home location: a reserved parking space located on a street, driveway, or neighborhood parking lot in the member's area.
Members are given an access card, called a "Zipcard", which will open the vehicle they have reserved only at the time they have reserved it. Each vehicle records hours of usage and mileage, which is uploaded to a central computer via a wireless data link. The location of the vehicles is not tracked during a reservation for privacy reasons but is trackable. The reservation includes driver's insurance (state mandated minimums), a gas card for the car, and reimbursements for typical car maintenance items like car washes and window wiper fluid refills. When someone becomes a member, they can automatically reserve and use a Zipcar in any Zipcar city.
On May 1, 2007, ZipCar announced that it was ending its partnership with XM radio and the service would be removed from its cars over the subsequent two months.
With service in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Oakland, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Chicago, and Vancouver, it is now the largest car sharing organization in the United States, North America, and Europe. As of July 2007, there were 100,000 Zipsters worldwide.
Individual members can sign up for one of two different plans. The "Extra Value Plan" starts at USD$7.65/hr or $57.80/day with a $50 monthly commitment. The "Occasional Driving Plan" starts at $50/year plus $9.00/hr or $68/day.

University, organization and business partnerships

'Zipcar' also offers its service for businesses (called "Z2B"), universities and organizations. These programs typically provide a discount on the annual membership fee. Additionally, the Z2B program provides discounts on Monday - Friday driving. They have also partnered with over 30 colleges and universities to provide students with access to their car sharing service on or near campus, the first being the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

History

★ 1999: Concept solidified by Robin Chase and Antje Danielson.

★ 2000: Company formed.

★ June 2000: First Zipcars hit the road around Boston, MA.

★ September 2001: Washington, D.C. office opened

★ February 2002: New York City office opened

★ February 2003: Scott Griffith replaces Robin Chase as CEO.

★ April 2005: Zipcar partners with XM Satellite Radio () to provide satellite radio in all Zipcars.

★ July 2005: Zipcar secures $10 million in funding led by Benchmark Capital.

★ August 2005: San Francisco office opened.

★ May 2006: Toronto office opened.

★ May 2006: General Electric's Commercial Finance Fleet Services () gives Zipcar $20 million in lease line financing.

★ September 2006 Toronto market is named fastest growing new market in company history

★ November 2006: London office opened.

★ April 2007: Vancouver office opened.

★ May 2007 : XM Satellite Radio ends partnership with Zipcar and radios will not be available in Zipcars any longer
[1]

Criticism

The costs of renting a Zipcar for more than a few hours can exceed the cost of a traditional car rental (starting around $31/day). However Zipcar provides gas and insurance (not covered at traditional rental) and is also open to individuals age 21 and up.
Zipcar only provides the state minimum liability insurance in the United States (higher in Canada and the UK). If you are found to be at fault in an accident, you will have to pay any damages that exceed the minimums out of pocket. Members are encouraged to purchase a non-owner's car insurance policy. [2]

See also

★ Carsharing

★ World Carshare

★ List of carsharing operators

External links

★ Zipcar Official Site