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April 2, 2025

Wheels for diverse and disadvantaged communities

As cities tackle the challenges of climate change and equitable, sustainable mobility, we’re seeing increased demand for car sharing in disadvantaged communities. As part of our commitment to equitable access, we’ve placed a significant portion of Zipcar vehicles in areas where people need convenient and affordable access to cars the most.  

 

Here’s how Zipcar is serving disadvantaged communities 

 

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35% of Zipcar fleet located in disadvantaged communities 

  • Austin: 79% 

  • Boston: 43%  

  • Chicago: 30% 

  • Detroit: 65% 

  • Hawaii: 100%  

  • Los Angeles: 46% 

  • Miami: 64%  

  • Milwaukee: 48%  

  • Minneapolis: 50%  

  • Providence: 59% 

  • Sacramento: 73%  

  • San Diego: 61% 

  • Washington, DC: 29% 

 

Zipcar + Philadelphia Housing Authority 

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)—the country’s fourth-largest housing authority—partnered with Zipcar to give residents convenient, affordable access to transportation. Zipcar is offered in tandem with a Jobs Plus Initiative Program, funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, which helps residents achieve self-sufficiency and find better-paying job opportunities. Residents use Zipcar for job interviews, healthcare appointments, and important errands. 

 

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  • $16,450 income limit for individuals to qualify for assistance through PHA. 

  • $31,050 income limit for a family of 8 to qualify for assistance through PHA. 

  • $10 average monthly cost of a PHA resident to use Zipcar. 

  • 99% monthly savings using Zipcar compared to car ownership. 

  • $1,302/month roughly what Zipcar PHA members save vs. car owners. That’s $15,524 per year.  

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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.