When is Zipcar closing its UK operations?

Zipcar plans to cease its UK operations by the end of the year 2025.

Why is Zipcar shutting down in the UK?

The company cited significant financial losses, declining revenue, and rising operational costs as primary reasons for the closure.

What happens to my Zipcar booking in the UK after it closes?

Existing bookings will be honored for Christmas; customers with bookings into the new year will be contacted, and refunds will be issued.

Home / Business and Economy / Zipcar UK to Drive Off into Sunset by Year-End

Zipcar UK to Drive Off into Sunset by Year-End

2 Dec

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Summary

Zipcar will close UK operations by the end of 2025.
Company cites significant losses and declining revenue.
New bookings suspended; existing ones honored for Christmas.

Zipcar UK to Drive Off into Sunset by Year-End

Zipcar has announced its intention to cease all UK operations by the end of 2025, marking the end of an era for car-sharing in the country. The company, which launched in the US in 2000, has initiated a formal consultation process with its employees regarding the closure.

Customers will not be able to make new bookings beyond December 31, 2025, though existing reservations, particularly for the Christmas period, will be honored. Members with bookings extending into the new year will be contacted individually, and refunds will be issued for canceled or future bookings, with cancellation fees waived.

The decision comes after Zipcar reported a substantial increase in pre-tax losses, escalating from £364,000 to £11.6 million in its latest financial year. This downturn is attributed to a significant drop in revenue, fewer trips, shorter average trip durations, and the broader impact of the cost-of-living crisis on consumer spending, exacerbated by rising electricity and insurance costs.