Q. How does Zipcar work exactly?
A. Join online, make a reservation in 30 seconds, walk to the car and hold your “Zipcard” above the windshield and the car will unlock for you. The technology makes it as easy as taking money out of the ATM. Once you are a member there are over 20 makes of cars available to you and you can book the one closest to you online 5 minutes in advance or 5 months in advance. The car will only recognize your card as the one who made the reservation by unlocking its doors for your convenience. Once inside, the key is attached nearby the ignition and away you go!
Q. In terms of costs, what can a member expect to pay? Are there any restrictions to membership? And what about gas and insurance?
A. To join: a $30 application fee and a $55 membership fee, and you are issued $50 in driving credit immediately. Suffice it to say it nets out to be a cost of $35 to become a member. The renewal is $55 per year. This entitles you to reserve a car any time you wish and any location you desire. A Zipcar ESSO gas card is provided in the visor on the driver’s side. If you are running low on gas use the card as it is charged to Zipcar. When you join, depending upon which plan, you could be paying as little as $9 per hour. This includes gas, insurance and up to 150 KM. It is all billed to your credit card.
When members apply there is a 48 hour period before you are approved. Once approved you are insured through our insurance. You never have to go through any insurance application process after that. You must be 21 years of age with a respectable driving record.
Q. What cars are in your fleet?
A. You will have access to over 3,500 cars in over 35 cities in North America and the UK. We have hybrids, Minis, Jettas, Mustang Convertibles, BMWs, Escapes and many more.
Q. You’ve been quoted as saying that 40 per cent of Zipcar members have either sold their car or decided not to buy a car because of Zipcar. For these people what is the average cost-savings on a monthly basis?
A. I have personally saved more than $800 per month since I got rid of my car. Most people are saving between $400 -$1,000 per month. My situation, like others, was as follows: gas ($150 per month), Insurance ($150 per month), car payment ($500 per month), parking downtown every weekday ($300 per month). Now I pay $120 for the GO Train and spend about $150 per month on Zipcar.
Q. People these days are thinking green. What are the environmental benefits as more people opt for a car-sharing service in lieu of car ownership?
A. In the next ten years 10 per cent of all cities will be car sharing. This translates into literally hundreds of thousands of cars coming off the roads worldwide. For every one Zipcar on the road, twenty other cars come off the road! We are the largest car sharing company in the world and as such have taken over 20,000 cars off the road up to date. Zipcar members are using less fuel and emissions are less because they are car sharing. Although we have hybrids in our fleet, two thirds of the rest of our fleet meet the same emissions standards as the hybrids we have. Currently 40 per cent of people live in the city’s urban core. By 2030 that number will be 60 per cent. Roads are not getting any bigger and the population density is getting greater. This is why “on street” parking is something that is inevitable for all car sharing markets. On street parking is when the municipal government recognizes that car sharing is a necessity by designating reserved parking on the streets for Zipcar and its competitor. Washington DC is already doing it.
