CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP), the world's leading car sharing network, today announced a new weekday, no annual fee driving program called the 'Access Plan,' which will be introduced as a pilot program in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.

The Access Plan lets members drive Zipcars and Zipvans (where available) from Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Zipcar Access Plan hourly and daily rates include gas, insurance and limited kilometers per day. Cars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for multiple days. Access Plan hourly and daily rates will be the same as Zipcar's existing plan - starting at $9 an hour in Toronto ($78 per day) and $8 in Vancouver ($72 per day). A one-time fee for an insurance background check is required for all plans. For more information on joining the Access Plan, visit www.zipcar.com/accessplan.

"As the world's largest car sharing network, it is natural for us to continue to evolve our service to meet a broader array of consumer needs," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "This new pilot plan is a key step in that direction. The Access Plan offers full entry to our entire network during weekdays without committing to an annual fee. This new plan also gives renewing Zipsters a new option if they are infrequent drivers but prefer to keep their membership active without an annual fee, just-in-case."

The Access Plan is ideal for consumers who:


    --  Would like to test drive Zipcars without committing to an annual fee
    --  Primarily need to drive on the weekdays
    --  Are looking to use Zipcar as a second car
    --  Need access to Zipvans for moves and transporting bulky items, or
    --  Would like Zipcar as a ready-to-drive option but aren't sure how
        frequently they'll need a car

All Zipcar memberships include the ability to reserve vehicles across the entire network of cities in North America and Europe.

Access Plan members can easily upgrade to Zipcar's existing membership plan if they need weekend/holiday wheels or want to drive more kilometers per day.

"We look forward to helping members discover the savings and convenience of Zipcar compared to other personal transportation options during the weekday," continued Griffith.

Features of Zipcar's Access Plan and Existing Plan:


                              Access Plan                   Existing Plan
                              -----------                   -------------
    One-time
     insurance check
     fee             Toronto ($30)                  Toronto ($30)
                     Vancouver ($25)                Vancouver ($25)
    ---              --------------                 --------------
    Annual fee                                  $0                            $65
    ----------                                 ---                            ---
    Zipcar           Monday - Friday                Every day
    ------           ---------------                ---------
    Zipvan           Monday - Friday                Every day
    ------           ---------------                ---------
    Daily km
     allowance       125km                          200km
    ----------       -----                          -----
    Vehicle access*   Excludes luxury cars (e.g.
                      BMW 3-series)                 All cars
    ---------------  ---------------------------    --------
    Hourly /Daily          Toronto (starting from:        Toronto (starting from:
     rates                                 $9/$78)                        $9/$78)
                         Vancouver (starting from:      Vancouver (starting from:
                                           $8/$72)                        $8/$72)
    ---                                     -------                        -------
    Gas/Insurance    Included                       Included
    -------------    --------                       --------

*Includes more than 20 types of vehicles. Excludes access to Zipcar's luxury vehicles and does not include holidays. Zipvans are currently available in Toronto only.

About Zipcar
 Zipcar is the world's leading car sharing network with more than 767,000 members and over 10,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

Photos and b-roll footage are available for media purposes at www.zipcar.mediaroom.com.

ZIP-G

SOURCE Zipcar, Inc.