ZIPCAR LAUNCHES ITS FIRST FREE-FLOATING CAR-SHARING SERVICE IN BRUSSELS
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Members in Belgium now have the freedom to pick up and drop off vehicles anywhere in a
Zipcar zone covering most of the Brussels-Capital Region and Zaventem Airport
Mobility research from Zipcar shows that nearly one in five (19.6 per cent) drivers in Brussels
would consider giving up their car in the capital with almost two thirds (64.3 per cent) of these
drivers considering car sharing instead
BRUSSELS, 14 September 2016: Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, today announces
the launch of its new free-floating car-sharing service in Brussels, Belgium. This marks the seventh
major country launch for the brand in Europe and the introduction of its most flexible car-sharing
service to date.
“Zipcar’s launch into Brussels is of strategic importance, given the mobility needs of the city and the
brand’s decision to launch our new service here”, explains Etienne Hermite, General Manager, Zipcar
Belgium. Our research shows that nearly one in five Brussels drivers would consider giving up their
car with the arrival of free-floating car sharing in the city, demonstrating the desire to tackle ways of
travelling more easily on the capital’s congested roads.”
Mobility research from iVox, conducted on behalf of Zipcar in August 2016, also revealed that nearly
two thirds (64.3 per cent) of 400 drivers surveyed in the capital would consider car sharing as an
alternative to driving their own car in the city. Congestion was cited as the biggest issue with 91% of
drivers claiming this as the main deterrent when driving their own car in the city.
Zipcar’s new free-floating service gives Zipcar members the freedom to pick up and drop off a Zipcar
at any location within a set geographical area of the Brussels-Capital Region – a first for the global
car-sharing network. In Brussels, the brand will operate a fleet of 250 Peugeot 208s, which can be
picked up and dropped off within a Zipcar zone that includes 16 of the city’s 19 communes. The
service will also be readily available to Brussel’s Zipcar members travelling to and from Zaventem
Airport for easy pick up and drop off.
Members can easily and spontaneously access a Peugeot 208 via the Zipcar app, giving them access
to a versatile car that is well-suited to life in the city with easy handling, low emissions and room for
up to five people. Driving a Zipcar in Brussels will cost from as little as €0,25 per minute and is
inclusive of insurance, fuel, maintenance and parking. Whether it’s for shopping around the city,
visiting friends and relatives or taking short trips out of town, Zipcar members will have access to a
car in Brussels when they need it without the hassle of ownership.
The free-floating service extends Zipcar’s international offering, which currently serves the needs of
its members across 500 towns and cities globally with access to a vehicle when they need it. The carsharing network also recently reached a milestone of one million members globally, highlighting the
adoption of car-sharing services across the world.
Zipcar International President Nicholas Cole said, “Today’s launch in Brussels marks a significant
milestone for Zipcar. Not only are we extending our operations to another world-class city, but we
are also excited to be launching our newest service, free-floating car-sharing. Our proven ability in
offering convenient access to a car, without the hassle of ownership, meets the need of our
members to help them more easily navigate the city”. He added, “This development in our offering
means that we are the first global car-sharing network to offer a variety of different car club models
around the world, according to different cities’ requirements. We look forward to welcoming Belgian
members to our network”.
How to become a Zipcar member and drive a Zipcar in Brussels
Becoming a member is simple, fast and easy.
1. Sign-up online or by downloading the app (iOS and Androïd)
2. Reserve a car – Cars will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, within a “Zipcar zone”.
Members can pick up and drop off a car anywhere within the zone, and can reserve a car
from their smartphone, providing spontaneous access to a car on their own terms. Members
are not required to tell us how long they will need the vehicle for or where they will return it.
3. Unlock the door – Users will use the mobile app to unlock the car or pass your Zipcar member
card over the windscreen; the keys are in the glove box.
4. Drive – Drive a car within the Zipcar zone or outside of it, as long as you end the rental in the
zone. Insurance, fuel and parking are included in the rental.
Further information on how to become a Zipcar member in Brussels is available now at
www.zipcar.be.
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About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, driven by a mission to enable simple and
responsible urban living. With its wide variety of self-service vehicles available by the hour or day,
Zipcar operates in urban areas and university campuses in over 500 cities and towns across Austria,
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Zipcar
offers the most comprehensive, most convenient and most flexible car-sharing options available.
Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of vehicle
rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.
For more information:
Zipcar International Inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Zipcar Belgium Inquiries:
FINN PR
Jurgen Thysmans
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +32 477 47 78 52