National Press Release

Month-Long Program Gives Urban Residents the Opportunity to Experience the Economic, Environmental and Health Benefits of a Low-Car Lifestyle

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, the world's largest car-sharing service, is calling on urban residents to apply for the 2009 Low-Car Diet. Beginning July 15, participants from all 13 Zipcar cities in the United States, Canada and London, England will pledge to give up their personally owned car for one month. Instead, they will bike, walk, utilize public transportation and be given a Zipcar membership.

In the midst of a challenging economy, the Low-Car Diet gives people the opportunity to test drive a low-car and less expensive lifestyle. The program gives participants the experience of living without a car and the associated economic, environmental and health benefits.

According to a recent survey, the average American household owns two cars and spends 19 percent of income on vehicle-related expenses*. Conversely, upon joining Zipcar, 65 percent of members report selling an existing car or delaying the purchase of a new one. As a result, Zipcar members spend just 6 percent of their income on transportation-related costs, a significant savings at a time when people everywhere are looking to cut costs.

"Smart consumption -- including the ability to use something without owning it -- is at the heart of Zipcar capitalism," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "We encourage people to take part in this year's Low-Car Diet challenge and experience our vision of more car sharers than car owners in cities around the globe."

Several national sponsors and editorial partners generously are supporting this year's Low-Car Diet in intelligent and impactful ways, including:

    --  Montague Corporation - the world leader in full size folding bikes is
        providing one lucky Low-Car Diet participant in each Zipcar city with a
        SwissBike TX to fill the gaps between public transit and Zipcar
        (SwissBike.com). Montague's folding bicycles can easily compact to
        fit in the trunk of a Zipcar, allowing users to seamlessly transition in
        and out of urban life as needed.
    --  HealthCentral - will provide fitness experts at local Low-Car Diet
        events to consult with participants about exercise programs, will donate
        Fast and Fit books by Ellen Haas, and will provide healthy recipes to
        all participants. (HealthCentral.com)

    --  EverydayHealth - will encourage readers to participate with interactive
        polls and blog about their experiences on the Everyday Health Low-Car
        Diet blog. Senior staff also will participate in and blog about launch
        events. (EverydayHealth.com)

Last year's Low-Car Diet demonstrated that having a taste of a low-car lifestyle can lead to permanent car shedding. Fifty-eight percent of 2008 participants stated that they planned to continue to live without a personally owned car, and another 31 percent considered the same commitment. During the month-long program, participants also reduced vehicle miles traveled by 100,000 miles, saved 4,000 gallons of fuel (preventing more than 75,000 pounds of carbon emissions), lost weight due to increased walking and biking and saved significantly on their transportation costs.

For individuals who are interested in participating in the 2009 Low-Car Diet in Canada or the United States, please visit http://tinyurl.com/lowcardiet or in the United Kingdom visit http://tinyurl.com/lowcardietuk to apply.

*Source: 2007 Consumer Expenditure Survey and February 2008 Experian Automotive Survey

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with 300,000 members and 6,500 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 26 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. More information is available at zipcar.com

SOURCE Zipcar