Zipcar is truly a great innovation in the U.S. transportation market. While other countries have been experimenting with ideas like this for many years, it wasn't until 1999 that this model for personalized public transportation made it's way to American shores. The idea behind Zipcars is that a number of cars get parked around the city which people can then rent for hours, minutes, or months. Each Zipcar is equipped with wireless technology that helps to ensure a hassle free reservation system. In 2000 the first Zipcar was on the road, and they've been driving successfully ever since.

Currently thousands of drivers use Zipcars, including small businesses and individuals. It seems that everyone likes the freedom and money (as in that which is saved) Zipcars provide. 30% of customers like the idea of Zipcars so much that they've opted to sell their current car or decided against buying a new one. And why should they? Zipcar gives you the space, time, and cost efficient resources you need to get to where you want to go â€" who wouldn't love it? Thanks to thousands of satisfied customers, Zipcar has been growing like crazy, with plans to expand nationally in the near future.

Zipcar prides their user experience on being an innovative combination of the internet, wireless communications, and online communities. Anyone 21 years of age or older with a valid drivers license can use Zipcar. All you have to do is fill out the online application, wait for approval, and in a few days receive your Zipcard. You can choose to reserve a car online or over the phone; pick out the time, location, and car you want including models from BMW, Toyota, and Mini Coopers. Once you get to your vehicle, just hold the Zipcard against the windshield and the doors will unlock (this only works for the car that's registered to you). Zipcars include reserved parking, gas, and insurance-and when you're done, all you have to do is return the car to the spot where you picked it up.

In addition to convenience, Zipcar is winning customers thanks to their earth friendly attitude. They've reported that car usage of individuals is reduced by as much as 50%, as Zipcar members instead use the most efficient means of transportation for their task, whether it be walking, biking, public transportation, taxi, or Zipcar. They've done research and found that each Zipcar replaces over 20 privately owned vehicles, and older cars are replaced with newer ones that have more stringent pollution controls (Zipcar loves the Toyota hybrid). Perhaps the best part of Zipcar is that "green space is preserved as fewer parking spaces are required to meet the driving needs of the same number of people." Their company also creates less of a strain on urban parking infrastructure-saving businesses, governments, and universities money.