Is Car Ownership Threatening the Future of Cities? New Zipcar Impact Report Sounds the Alarm
October 07 2020 - 9:30AM
Cities are facing tremendous changes amidst the COVID-19
pandemic, and the mobility choices of today’s urban dwellers
are no exception. Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing
network, today released the findings of its second annual
Impact Report, “Improving City Living through Social &
Environmental Change.” The report evaluates the impact of car
sharing on communities and the current mobility landscape,
with data based on a nationally representative city dweller
survey, third party academic research, as well as a massive
study of Zipcar members. The ultimate
conclusion? Now, more than ever, car sharing is critical to
protect the future of the cities we live
in by fighting against the threats of pollution and
congestion brought on by personal car ownership, while also making
mobility more accessible and equitable for today’s urban
dwellers.
An overwhelming 4 out of 5 American city
residents say it’s now essential to have access to a car, with
41% having either purchased a vehicle in the last six months
or considering it in part due to the pandemic.1 These
newly released findings are from a nationally
representative survey of urban dwellers from Zipcar and independent
research firm Engine Insights. If nearly half of the
driving-aged population in U.S. cities purchases a vehicle, the
environmental impact will be catastrophic: that would
be nearly 136 million new vehicles on our city
streets.2 Furthermore, a societal emphasis on car
ownership ultimately creates more inequities within our
communities.
“As we are navigating the pandemic alongside our neighbors, city
leaders and policy makers, it’s become clear that we must continue
to address the mobility challenges facing cities and their
residents, to ensure that the progress inspired by Zipcar over the
past 20 years is continued,” said Tracey Zhen, Zipcar president.
“Building a city of tomorrow around equitable access to
transportation, instead of a reliance on individual car ownership,
is critical. This particularly rings true amidst the economic
climate our nation faces, with over 13.6 million Americans
struggling to find work.3 Owning a car should not be a prerequisite
for having access to work, nor should access to a car be cost
prohibitive.”
The impacts of car sharing on the environment and our
communities is also clear. As shared in the latest Zipcar
Impact Report, personally owned cars sit idle on city streets
and in parking garages 95% of the time,4 taking up
valuable land that could be used for green space, public parks and
more. Thirteen personally owned cars are taken off the
road for each Zipcar.5 In New York
City alone, 85% of Zipcar members do not own or
lease a car after joining Zipcar.6 In the city, one shared
car serves up to 80 members – proof that car ownership is
not required to access one.6
“Our vision is a future where the number of people who
share a car outnumber the people who personally own one. Car
sharing is proven to enable affordable access, maximize the
use of shared space for all, and make streets safer, less crowded,
and less polluted,” said Zhen.
The report explores several areas of social and environmental
impact that car sharing has had to-date on
cities and urban dwellers, including:
Car Sharing Encourages a Multi-Modal
Lifestyle
- Most Zipcar trips start with a walk to the vehicle pick up
location (85%), or a train ride (35%), or a bike/scooter
(10%).6
- 60% of Zipcar members take transit at least twice a week and
55% at least five times a week.6
- Members turn to Zipcar for longer, purpose-driven trips, with
an average trip length of 52 miles and nearly 9
hours.6
- Most common trips for Zipcar members are out of town trips,
visits with family and friends, grocery shopping and errands.
6
Car Sharing Increases Access Without the Cost,
Hassle of Car Ownership
- 40% of Zipcar members say they can affordably reach essential
destinations like school and work with Zipcar.6
- 60% of Zipcar members feel empowered to be themselves and move
independently.6
- Zipcar members save about $633 a month compared to car
owners by avoiding traditional out-of-pocket
expenses associated with car ownership like parking,
insurance, and maintenance.7
- Annually, Zipcar members save a total
of $7.6 billion over the cost of owning a car.7
Car Sharing Provides a Socially Responsible, Sustainable
Mobility Solution
- Each Zipcar serves 50-80 members, which results in fewer
cars, less parking, and more land for people, housing, and
open space.6
- Roundtrip car-sharing members drive 40% fewer miles than they
did before joining Zipcar.5
- Car-sharing members reduce their carbon footprint by up to
1,600 pounds per year.8
- If car sharing weren’t available, members would drive 26% more
than they currently do.9
Despite the pandemic, requests for new Zipcar
memberships have risen consistently week over
week. A recent internal survey of Zipcar members showed that
after biking and walking, members considered Zipcar to be the
transportation option they were most comfortable using. For
the safety of the community and employees, Zipcar has
implemented enhanced cleaning protocols and products and
encourages all members to take the right personal steps to
ensure they remain safe.
The Zipcar community is made up of more than one million members
worldwide, including 4,000 business partners, nearly 30 non-profit
partners and 500 university campus communities. Members enjoy all
the benefits of having a car without the cost and hassle of owning
one.
To download the full Zipcar Impact Report,
visit https://www.zipcar.com/impact.
Report MethodologyZipcar-specific data was
collected as part of Zipcar’s 2019 North American Transportation
Survey, an annual email survey conducted in December 2019 with a
sample size of nearly 18,000 respondents across North America.
Industry-specific data was made possible by Zipcar’s partners at
the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University
of California and credible industry parties. In addition, the city
dweller survey referenced was fielded from August 26-30, 2020, by
Engine Insights via an online survey from a nationally
representative sample of 610 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older
who live in urban communities.
All sources include:
1 Engine Insights Survey of U.S. adults from urban communities,
Aug. 26-30, 2020.2 U.S. Census Bureau population numbers, 2019.3
Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment numbers, 2020.4 Shoup,
Donald. The High Cost of Free Parking. Routledge; 1 edition (June
21, 2011).5 Martin, Elliot, Susan Shaheen and Jeffrey Lidicker.
“Impact of Carsharing on Household Vehicle Holdings” (March 2010).6
Zipcar’s 2019 North American Transportation Survey (NATS).7 2019
NATS and AAA, Your Driving Costs, How Much Are You Really Paying to
Drive?, 2019.8 Martin, Elliot and Susan Shaheen. “Greenhouse Gas
Emission Impacts of Car Sharing in North America” (July 2010).9
Martin, Elliot and Susan Shaheen. “Impact of Car sharing on Public
Transit and Non-Motorized Travel” (December 2011).
About Zipcar Zipcar 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, day or week, Zipcar operates in
urban areas and university campuses in nearly 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.
Press Inquiries:
Abby Campbell
acampbell@360pr.plus
857-300-6301
Stephanie Aboulafia
pr@zipcar.com
Avis Budget (NASDAQ:CAR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Avis Budget (NASDAQ:CAR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024