Zipcar plans to stop operating in the UK at the end of December
Zipcar will suspend bookings due to plans to cease operations in the UK.
The car and van rental service told customers in an email – seen by Metro – that it has started a formal consultation with UK employees.
The message, from the General Manager of Zipcar UK James Taylor, said it will suspend new bookings after December 31 until the consultation comes to an end.
He added: ‘Although we propose to cease operations in the UK, your account will remain open until the final decision is made following the consultation process.
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‘This means you’re still able to use Zipcars until 31st December 2025.’
Zipcar, an American company owned by Avis Budget, allows members to rent cars and vans by the minute, hour, or day through a mobile app.
They reported a £11.7 million loss in 2024, when they had 71 staff on their books.
When will Zipcar cease UK operations?
A spokesman said the timing is pending a formal consultation with all’affected employees’, so they can not give a specific date.
They added: ‘However, we will be temporarily suspending new bookings after 31st December 2025, pending the outcome of this consultation.’
Zipcar say they will honour existing bookings, including those over the Christmas period.
Users with bookings after the New Year will be contacting by the company and paying subscribers will be refunded for the period after December 31.
Where did Zipcar cover?
Zipcar UK covered nearly the whole of London except a few central zones where you cannot park. They had thousands of cars and vans to hire in the capital.
You can use Zipcars to leave London but they have to be returned to the same parking spot in the allotted time frame.
What do Londoners think of Zipcar’s potential demise?
People on social media have largely reacted in shock at the announcement.
Consumer journalist Harry Wallop posted on X: ‘What’s gone wrong at Zipcar?
‘It would seem perfectly suited to UK market where owning your own car is v expensive. But people often need short-term rental.’
One hack Katie Lathan said she would miss was being able to drive to Heathrow and avoid the Piccadilly Line ‘which takes three business days to traverse’, she joked.
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