Zipcar to cease UK operations ‘in coming weeks’ – | Tech News
Zipcar has confirmed it would close operations from in the present day, with 1000’s of clients instructed they are going to have their accounts closed in days. Zipcar normal supervisor James Taylor has reportedly written to clients confirming the tip of the model simply a month after companies have been suspended.
The car rent firm, which allowed members to get entry to vehicles for as little as an hour, had round 650,000 clients in its books, with over half a million of these primarily based in London. Bosses had suspended operations on the finish of 2025 following financial pressures. However, affirmation that Zipcar would cease to exist got here on Friday in a main blow to the car-sharing sector.
Taylor stated: “Following formal consultation with our UK employees, we can now confirm that Zipcar will cease operating in the UK.
“In accordance with clause 7.5 of the member terms, please take this as your written notice that we will formally close your account in 30 days’ time.
“On behalf of the entire Zipcar UK team, whether you used Zipcar occasionally or regularly, we’d like to thank you for being a member and being part of our journey.”
Zipcar bosses had requested officers to be exempt from London’s Congestion Charge after the scheme was prolonged to embrace electric autos. There have been issues that the car-hire model could possibly be ‘commercially unviable’ if it was compelled to pay charges.
Zipcar clients will probably be entitled to a professional-rated refund for any remaining time left on their plan or subscription. Zipcar is set to attempt to course of refunds to any impacted drivers earlier than the tip of January.
Richard Dilks, chief govt of CoMoUK, a national organisation for shared transport, harassed the significance of Zipcar’s demise.
He stated: “Zipcar’s departure is a major loss, not just for the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on its vehicles as a cheap, convenient and occasional way of travelling, but for London as a whole.
“As by far the largest car-sharing operator in the capital, it has made a major contribution to reducing car ownership and mileage and supporting public transport and active travel use, all of which cuts traffic congestion and improves our air quality.”
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