More Green for the Maize and Blue: University of Michigan Launches the State's First Zipcars

North America's largest car sharing company enters Michigan; brings car sharing to University staff and students and local residents

CAMBRIDGE, MA (November 1, 2006) — Zipcar, North America's largest and fastest growing car sharing company, today announced that the University of Michigan has joined Zipcar's on campus program to provide University faculty, staff and students an alternative to the costs and hassles of keeping a privately-owned car on or near campus. The program is also available to local residents. The partnership marks Zipcar's entry into Michigan, extending its network to 13 states and provinces and providing the state with its first nationally established car sharing solution.

Beginning today, a total of six self-service Zipcars – two Toyota Matrixes, two Mazda 3s and two Ford Escapes – will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week at three University locations, including Central, North and Medical campuses. The Zipcars will also be available to all staff and students aged 21+, with gas, maintenance, insurance and reserved parking included in all low hourly and daily rates. Zipcar was selected as the University of Michigan's car sharing partner based on its superior technology, membership experience and track record of providing universities and communities with a proven cost effective car sharing solution.

"We already have a number of transportation demand management (TMD) tools in place at UM, including free bus service, subsidized vanpools and low-cost parking options", said David Miller, executive director of UM's Parking and Transportation Services. "Zipcar is one more tool we've added to our TDM toolkit. We're excited about this partnership and hope to see the demand for car sharing exceed the initial fleet of six vehicles. If the demand is there, we will grow the fleet."

For university students who cannot or do not want to bring a privately-owned car to school, Zipcar provides the opportunity and freedom to travel off campus to attend interviews, run errands or take a weekend trip. Zipcar also eliminates hundreds of dollars in monthly transportation costs such as gas, insurance, maintenance and parking. Zipcar members report they save more than $436/month or $5,232/year using Zipcar versus car ownership, money that can be put toward other more relevant expenses such as tuition and housing.

Faculty, staff and students will be able to join Zipcar for $30, and local residents can join Zipcar for $75 ($50 annual fee and a $25 one-time application fee). All members will have access to University of Michigan Zipcars for $8 per hour or $60 per day as well as access to Zipcar's network of more than 2,000 vehicles throughout North America.

Among the 34 colleges that have partnered with Zipcar to reduce traffic, noise and parking demands are Boston College, Columbia, Georgetown, Rutgers, San Francisco State, American University, Harvard University, University of Minnesota, University of Toronto, University of North Carolina and The University of Chicago.

For more information on Zipcar's innovative on-campus programs, contact Adam Brophy at abrophy@zipcar.com.

About Zipcar
With more than 75,000 consumer and business drivers, Zipcar is North America's largest car sharing service. The company currently operates over 2,000 vehicles in 13 states and provinces, including metropolitan New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Toronto and Washington, DC. With Zipcar's award-winning technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have automated access to any Zipcar across North America using a "Zipcard" to simply unlock the door and drive away. With Zipcar, gas, parking and insurance are always included. For more information, visit www.zipcar.com.