AssetID: 55308419
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Zipcar to Shut Down UK Operations by Year-End
Caption: Zipcar to Shut Down UK Operations by Year-End. Car-sharing platform Zipcar has announced it will close its UK operations by the end of the year, ending its run as the country’s largest car-sharing service. The company told customers it will stop accepting new bookings after 31 December while a consultation takes place with its 71 UK employees. Zipcar confirmed that all trips finishing before the end of the month will still be honoured, and members can continue using vehicles over the Christmas period. Parent company Avis Budget said the closure affects only the UK division, with operations in all other global markets continuing as normal. Zipcar serves around 650,000 UK members, most of them based in London, after the firm previously withdrew from Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol to focus on the capital. The business reported falling revenues in 2024, blaming the cost of living crisis and rising energy costs, which increased the expense of fuelling and charging its fleet. Company accounts also showed after-tax losses widening to £11.6m, intensifying financial pressures ahead of London’s expanded congestion charge for EVs coming into force on 26 December. Avis Budget said the decision to cease UK operations from 2026 is part of a broader strategy to streamline and improve long-term sustainability. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Motoring,Zipcar UK closure,Avis Budget,car-sharing platform,31 December bookings,UK consultation,650,000 members,London market,falling revenues,cost of living crisis,rising energy costs,after-tax losses,congestion charge expansion,UK staff consultation,car sharing,mobility services,transport industry,sustainability strategy,app-based rentals,urban mobility,financial pressures,business restructuring,UK transport,shared economy,vehicle rental sector,corporate decision
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