Helping the Big Apple hit its big climate change goals

New York City is a global leader in urban equity and sustainability, as seen in its OneNYC 2050 strategy. This plan addresses climate change, equity, financial stability, and healthcare over the next two decades. And we’re proud to play a vital role in helping NYC achieve its goals by providing about 2,000 shared vehicles throughout the five boroughs. City residents, government agencies, disadvantaged communities, businesses, universities and gig-economy workers report1 that Zipcar gives them equitable access to sustainable transportation that’s tailored to their needs.

Here’s a look at NYC members and how Zipcar helps them achieve their goals

NYC Zipcar members at a glance

Gender + identity

57% Male
40% Female
1% Nonbinary
13% LGBTQIA+

Our NYC members are diverse

60% BIPOC

Household income

38% of households earn less than $79,000, the median NYC income.²

Housing

87% live in multifamily housing.
73% rent an apartment or house.

Employment

75% work full time.
10% work part time.
7% are retired.
6% are unemployed.

NYC members reduce personal car ownership

88% do not own a vehicle.
47% postponed buying or leasing a car because of their Zipcar membership.
24% got rid of their car after joining.
65% fewer vehicles owned by members after joining Zipcar.

Why our NYC members join

For the convenience, savings, and a guaranteed parking spot.

1/3 consider Zipcar very important to their overall transportation satisfaction in NYC.
80% joined Zipcar because it’s more convenient than other car share or car rental places.
70% choose Zipcar because they need to get somewhere not accessible by foot, bike or public transit.
56% wanted to avoid the costs of car ownership.
45% wanted to supplement public transit trips.
23% wanted to take advantage of Zipcar’s dedicated parking space.

Where NYC members drive.

Out of town. Out seeing family. And just out and about.

51% out-of-town trips (up 43% from 2022)
50% visiting family and friends (up 34% from 2022)

Social and environmental impact

Zipcar helps NYC residents save money and explore more of their city—without the burden of car ownership. That means less traffic, fewer parking hassles, and reduced carbon emissions.

NYC members save money compared to car owners in the city

$1,629 is the average monthly cost to own a car in NYC. That’s $19,548 per year.
$223 is the average monthly cost to members for Zipcar in NYC.
$1,406 is the estimated monthly savings of NYC Zipcar members vs. car owners.
81% savings compared to owning a car.

More access, better opportunities

Members with household incomes below $35,000 say we’re helping them do more than just save.

81% say Zipcar allows them to explore places inaccessible by other transit.
67% say Zipcar gives them affordable access to important places like school and work.
61% say Zipcar gives them equal access to opportunities.
46% of Zipcar’s NYC vehicles are located in disadvantaged communities.
51% say Zipcar helps provide financial freedom.

Reducing congestion on NYC streets

68% fewer cars are owned by Zipcar members than the average NYC household.
50,000 personally owned vehicles would flood the streets if Zipcar left NYC.
62 blocks of bumper-to-bumper traffic would be created.
$38 million saved in congestion-related costs every year.
2nd-most congested city worldwide.

Reducing CO2 emissions

164.8 million lbs. The amount of CO2 our NYC members reduce annually.

That’s like removing 3.2 million bags of trash from NYC’s Fresh Kills Landfill.¹

Expanding on-street access

In 2018, Zipcar partnered with the NYC Department of Transportation to launch its on-street car-sharing program, and we’re the only remaining partner from that pilot. Since then, we’ve added 100 on-street Zipcars to the more than 500 on-street locations already available citywide—bringing us even closer to where our members live. As we expand, we make sure new locations are based on demand and our commitment to providing equitable, sustainable transportation in NYC’s Equity Zone Areas.

71% of members earning less than $35,000 want more Zipcars on street and in public parking facilities.
63% of all New Yorkers want more Zipcars at on-street parking locations and public parking facilities.
Over 50% of New Yorkers like on-street car-share locations because they’re easy to find.
43% of New Yorkers prefer to pick up Zipcars at on-street locations.
81% of these members prefer to pick up Zipcars at on-street locations because it’s more convenient.
24% of Zipcars in NYC are at on-street locations.
61% of these on-street Zipcar locations are in disadvantaged communities.

Shared fleets for government access

Zipcar works with NYC government agencies—including FDNY, Parks & Recreation, Bureau of Recycling, and Health Services—to support public initiatives and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. With access to a shared fleet, agencies don’t need to maintain their own large fleets, saving taxpayer money and promoting sustainable transportation.

37,676 Zipcar trips taken by NYC government employees in 2024.
1.8 million lbs. of CO2 reduction in 2024.
$14 is the average monthly Zipcar cost per agency member.
99% savings compared to owning a car.

zipcar

New York City Housing Authority + Zipcar

In 2018, NYCHA became one of the first public housing agencies in the country to offer car sharing to residents, providing 26 Zipcars at 12 residential sites. By 2024, NYCHA had expanded access to 109 Zipcars at 31 locations.

4,035 Zipcar trips taken by NYCHA residents in 2024.
20% increase in trips since 2020.
Nearly 1 million lbs. of CO2 reduction in 2024.
$25,605 is the median household income for NYCHA residents.³
$11 is the average monthly Zipcar cost for NYCHA members.
99% savings compared to owning a car.

SNAP, IDNYC + Zipcar

Qualified SNAP recipients and IDNYC license holders living in NYC can join Zipcar at a discounted rate.

8,123 Zipcar trips by IDNYC license holders in 2024.

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 and 2,571 identifying as members who use Zipcar from the New York City metro area. 

^{1 New York City-specific data was collected as part of Zipcar’s 2024 North American Transportation Survey consisting of a sample size of approximately 2,570 respondents who access Zipcar in New York City.}

^{2 US Census Bureau Quick Facts New York City. 2024.}

^{3 NYCHA Fact Sheet. 2023.}