Most Americans need a car to travel virtually everywhere, but in
today’s sharing economy where consumers increasingly pay for access
– for movies, music and clothing – the need to own a car may be a
thing of the past. A new study commissioned by Zipcar, the world’s
leading car-sharing network, and conducted online by The Harris
Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults, reveals 70% of American drivers
believe a car-sharing service is more economical than owning a
vehicle. Roughly 7 in 10 urban (69%) and suburban (72%) drivers
across the country agree that car-sharing services are more
economical than owning a vehicle. This sentiment spans across
drivers of all generations (65% Gen Z, 73% of Millennials, 68% of
Gen X, and 69% of Boomers)1 and the benefits of living car-free, as
offered through Zipcar’s model of car-sharing, could have a
significant impact on city livability.
Own the Trip, Not an Unused
CarTransportation is the second-largest household expense,
with most budgets devoted to purchasing, operating, and maintaining
private vehicles.2 Yet, over one-third of American drivers
(37%) admit they own a car that is not driven often. Studies prove
the average car sits idle, parked 95% of the time.3 So, why throw
money to the curb?
More than 6 in 10 American drivers (67%) believe
that by only paying for a car when they need it (e.g., for
commuting, shopping, or visiting family), would create newfound
freedom to spend money on other things they want such as
entertainment, clothing, or a vacation. American drivers across
household incomes, from those making less than $50,000 (69%) to
those making $100,000 or more (63%), universally upheld this
belief.
With parking, insurance, gas, and maintenance
provided, Zipcar reports its members spend less per month ($300
average) on transportation4 by paying per trip compared to the
monthly cost ($737 average) to own a personal vehicle5 that may go
unused. With extra cash in members’ pockets, Zipcar reports saving
its membership approximately $5.2 billion a year6 not to mention
the time and hassles associated with owning a car.
Fewer Personally Owned Cars Impacts Roads
NationwideOwning a car may not only burn a hole in the
pockets of car-owners nationwide but also can contribute to
societal and environmental issues in the form of traffic. Nearly
three-quarters of Americans– across genders, ages, incomes,
generations, and regions – are frustrated with the amount of
traffic congestion in their area (72%) and believe that if there
were fewer cars on the road, there would be more opportunity to
enjoy doing things in cities (73%).
Traffic decreases when less personally-owned cars
are on the road; for every 1 Zipcar, up to 13 personally-owned
vehicles are taken off the road7. Based on those figures, as many
as 156,000 fewer cars are on city streets thanks to Zipcar’s 12,000
vehicle U.S. fleet. Additionally, according to Zipcar, car-sharing
drivers directly contribute to a world where cities are easier and
more enjoyable to live in by:
- Driving 40% fewer miles than before joining a car-sharing
network8
- Biking, using public transit, or walking the same or more after
joining Zipcar (40% bike, 70% transit, 80% walk)
- Eliminating their personally-owned vehicle after joining Zipcar
(54% of Zipcar members)
To learn more about the social and environmental
impact of Zipcar’s car-sharing network, visit
www.zipcar.com/impact.
Tracey Zhen, Zipcar President, on
challenging car ownership:“In 2000, Zipcar’s founders
solved for a real need: to eliminate the cost and hassle of owning
a vehicle in the city. Zipcar kickstarted the sharing economy and
changes the world of car ownership every day by providing more than
a million members nationwide the freedom and flexibility to access
wheels when they want them. Our members own less while positively
contributing to socially responsible, sustainable transportation
that supports the global environment, their communities, and city
livability.”
Own less. Have more. Join
Zipcar.Take charge of your errands and escapes with a free
Zipcar membership! Sign up for a limited time, 30-day trial
membership and save a bundle over car ownership. Reserve wheels
when you want them, by the hour or day, and only pay for the time
you drive - gas, insurance and maintenance, a dedicated parking
spot, and up to 180 miles of driving per day included. Visit
www.zipcar.com to learn more.
Survey Method: This survey was conducted online
within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Zipcar
from August 1-5, 2019 among 2,023 U.S. adults aged 18+, of whom
1,958 are drivers. This online survey is not based on a probability
sample, and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can
be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting
variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Zipcar.
About ZipcarZipcar is the world’s
leading car-sharing network, driven by a mission to enable simple
and responsible urban living. With its wide variety of self-service
vehicles available by the hour or day, Zipcar operates in urban
areas and university campuses in over 500 cities and towns. Zipcar
offers the most comprehensive, most convenient and most flexible
car-sharing options available. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis
Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of
mobility solutions. More information is available at
www.zipcar.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1 For the purposes of this release, Generation Z is
defined as ages 18-22, Millennials are defined as ages 23-38,
Generation X is defined as ages 39-54 and Boomers are defined as
ages 55-732 Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Transportation
Economic Trends 2018.3 Shoup, Donald. The High Cost of Free
Parking. Routledge; 1 edition (June 21, 2011)4 Zipcar 2018 National
Transportation Survey5 2018 AAA Your Driving Costs
study and 2012 Colliers Parking Rate Survey.6 Zipcar 2018
National Transportation Survey and 2018 AAA Your Driving Costs
study7 Eliot, Sheehen, Lidcker/Impact of Carsharing on Household
Vehicle Holdings8 Shaheen/Impact of Carsharing on Household Vehicle
Holdings.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/58a1f788-0a39-4e2a-a363-339d03adb42e
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
Media Contact: Ashley Leduc | Communications Manager | aleduc@zipcar.com | 617-336-4787
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