zipcar living car in spitalfields with onlookers
zipcar living car in spitalfields with onlookers

Introducing: The Living Car

 

We’re working to create cleaner, greener cities for everybody. And with more of us on the move as lockdown restrictions ease, we wanted to make a statement to encourage everybody to make greener transport choices. 

So, from Tuesday 18 May – Friday 21st May we’ve installed a car made out of plants and flowers in Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street.

The concept will hopefully inspire drivers to make greener travel choices, cut carbon emissions post-lockdown and show that by reducing car ownership and embracing car sharing with Zipcar, we can achieve sustainable urban living and make room for green spaces to thrive in our cities! 
 

What’s in a number?

James Taylor, General Manager at Zipcar UK says

James Taylor, General Manager at Zipcar UK by the Zipcar living car

James Taylor, General Manager at Zipcar UK says

“It took a pandemic for our streets to become noticeably cleaner and greener, and we now have the opportunity to make urban travel more sustainable and not revert back to the old ways of the past. 

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen the highest ever surge in new members, and 77% have told us they’re adopting Zipcar to reduce their carbon footprint, showcasing the trend away from car ownership and towards car sharing. This is one of many simple changes that help make our cities more sustainable, and the ambition behind our Living Car is to inspire people to consider what change they can make to contribute to this greener future.”
 

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets by the Zipcar living car

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:

“Tower Hamlets became the first council in London to declare a climate emergency in March 2019 and we remain committed in reaching our target at becoming a net zero carbon council by 2025 and a net zero carbon borough by 2050 or sooner.  

“This installation shows the importance of nature returning to the streets and demonstrates the positive impact less cars have on our environment. This is something we will continue to make a priority as part of our Transport Strategy which sets out our vision and priorities from 2020 – 2041 on travel through sustainable means.”

Pictured here: Cllr Dan Tomlinson, Tower Hamlets

Go Electric

With 325 electric vehicles in our fleet, and a vision to be fully electric by 2025, we want all our members to come over to the green side and try one of our e-Golfs. Find out more about our electric fleet.  

Where can I see the car?

woman taking a photo inside the zipcar living car

Where can I see the car?

The Living Car will be parked in Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street from 19th-21st May 2021 for people to visit. Zipcar UK chose to partner with Tower Hamlets as one of the first councils in the country to declare a climate emergency. Its outstanding green initiatives include the Liveable Streets Programme which aims to improve the look and feel of public spaces across the borough to make it easier and safer to travel by sustainable means. The car’s carbon neutral flowers will be donated to the local community after use. 

Plus, you can win!

People taking a picture of the Zipcar living car

Plus, you can win!

Head down to Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street between 18th-21st May 2021 to visit the Living Car installation, and you could win £250-worth of Zipcar credits by sharing an image of it on social media with the hashtag #greenstreets.

The Living Car Press Release

If you'd like to read more about the car, and our full press release, just visit our press centre. 

Find out more

Why Rent a Zipcar?

bag of money, green icon
Save money

We pay for fuel, parking and insurance – so you get access to a car without the hassle of owning one!

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Rent a car locally

Zipcars live just around the corner. We've got thousands of cars and vans near where you live and work.

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Drive on-demand

Rent by the minute, hour or day when and where you need them. Just book and unlock with the app.

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Live greener

Cheaper and greener than owning your own car, we've also got hundreds of electric cars in our fleet. 

Join now

Comp Ts & Cs:
£250 driving credit will be awarded at random to those who post a photo of our Living Car installation with the #greenstreets on Twitter or Instagram between Tuesday 18 May 2021 and before midnight Sunday 23 May 2021.  No cash alternative, winner must be an approved Zipcar UK member. Winner will be contacted by the channel (Twitter or Instagram) that they posted on. 

About the Zipcar UK data:
The customer data is based on a survey conducted with 979 Zipcar UK members. The Zipcar UK internal data was extracted from March 1st 2020- March 1st 2021.