Zipcar, the company specializing in hourly and longer-term car and van rentals, is considering the complete closure of its business in the United Kingdom by the end of the year, according to an email sent to customers. The US-headquartered group, which launched operations in London in 2007 and boasts over 650,000 clients nationwide, has already temporarily suspended new bookings for the period after December 31, 2025. Formal consultations regarding the cessation of the company’s operations are currently underway with its UK employees, reports The WP Times with reference to The Independent.
The Zipcar network in the UK comprises over 3,000 cars and vans, including more than 1,000 electric vehicles in London alone, and serves 14,000 corporate clients. Despite this scale and recent activity—notably the launch of an EV club pilot scheme in partnership with Hackney council in May of this year—no specific reasons for the potential termination of operations have yet been provided.
In its communication to customers, the company confirmed that it is temporarily suspending new bookings during the consultation period. This means that while members’ accounts will remain active until a final decision is made, placing a new order for 2026 is no longer possible. Customers who have paid subscriptions running into the next year have been promised a pro-rata reimbursement. Zipcar will also contact all those who already have bookings scheduled for the period after the New Year. The company recommended that users looking for alternative car-sharing options consult the national shared transport charity, CoMoUK.
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