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April 2, 2025

Creating more opportunity for diverse communities

Zipcar’s mission goes beyond providing a convenient, sustainable car-sharing service. We're here to create opportunities and support people from diverse income levels, backgrounds, and lifestyles. By making transportation affordable and accessible, we help underserved and disadvantaged communities avoid the financial burden of owning a car. 

Because we’re an affordable alternative to car ownership, our members can save money, achieve financial stability and pursue opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.  

 

Zipcar members at a glance 

Average age 
35

Gender + identity  

  • 56% Male 
  • 39% Female 
  • 18% LGBTQIA+ 
  • 2% Nonbinary 

Our members are diverse 

  • 55% BIPOC 

Employment 

zipcar

  • 64% work full time

  • 11% work part time 

  • 23% are students 

  • 1% are gig-economy drivers (Zipcar for Uber launched in 2024)  

Housing 

  • 75% rent an apartment or house.

  • 30% have a child under 18 in their home. 

Here's how Zipcar is helping create more opportunities 

Supporting our underserved communities 

Transportation is a significant barrier for those with limited financial resources. Zipcar helps bridge that gap by providing an affordable alternative to car ownership. 


Member household incomes 

  • 44% of members are below the national median income ($80,610).1 

Affordability matters 

  • 30% of low-income households in the US do not own a car2 

  • 50% of low-income members cite affordability as their primary reason for joining Zipcar. 

Essential trips and savings 

  • 58% of low-income members use Zipcar for grocery shopping, with over half directing their savings to essential needs like food.

Empowering members through savings 

Lower transportation costs give our members greater financial security—allowing them to spend on everyday essentials and save for long-term goals3 

How Zipcar members use their savings 

  • 39% — Food and groceries 

  • 37% — Saving for the future 

  • 29% — Rent or mortgage 

  • 10% — Student loans 

  • 4% — Starting a business 

 


More financial freedom, more opportunity 

We help members with lower household incomes do more with their budgets.  

  • 42% say Zipcar gives them financial freedom and greater control over their expenses. 

    • 51% – Household income <$35K 

    • 47% – Household income $35–$100K 

    • 36% – Household income >$100K 

  • 47% say Zipcar helps them have opportunities equal to others. 

    • 64% – Household income <$35K 

    • 53% – Household income $35–$100K 

    • 35% – Household income >$100K 

  • 51% say Zipcar helps them affordably access important places, like school and work. 

    • 66% – Household income <$35K 

    • 57% – Household income $35–$100K 

    • 39% – Household income >$100K 

  • 83% say Zipcar gives them the opportunity to explore places inaccessible by public transit. 

    • 83% – Household income <$35K 

    • 84% – Household income $35–$100K 

    • 83% – Household income >$100K 

 

Zipcar-specific data was collected as part of Zipcar’s 2024 North American Transportation Survey, with a sample size of approximately 5,922 respondents in North America.  

1 United States Census Bureau. Income in the United States. 2023 

2 Bureau of Transportation Statistics. 2022. 

3 Urban Institute.