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Zipcar Low-Car Diet Leads to Permanent Car Loss

Participants report they'll stay car free after the challenge; Weight loss, cost and fuel savings also reported

CAMBRIDGE, MA - August 26, 2008: Zipcar, the world's largest provider of cars on demand by the hour or day, today announced the results of the first-ever North American Low-Car Diet. The Low-Car Diet challenged more than 300 participants throughout 12 North American cities to live without their personal vehicle for one month and rely on public transportation, biking, walking, and Zipcar. A post-diet participant survey showed that living without a car had a positive impact on their wallets, their bodies and their communities. Fifty-eight percent of participants stated that they plan to continue to live without a personally-owned car, and another 31% are considering that same commitment.

The survey showed, that during the one-month Low-Car Diet:

-- Combined, participants reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 100,000 miles, driving 71% fewer miles than before the challenge.

-- Combined, participants saved nearly 4,000 gallons of fuel and prevented more than 75,000 pounds of carbon emissions.

  -- Participants increased their use of other modes of transportation.
      -- Participants increased miles walked by 85%
      -- Participants increased miles biked by more than 100%
      -- Participants increased public transit trips by 65%

-- 40% of participants reported that the Low-Car Diet led them to lose weight, due to the increased amount of walking and biking.

-- Respondents spent 61% less on costs associated with owning and using a car.

"The Low-Car Diet demonstrates that car sharing is an effective way to reduce individual car ownership, vehicle miles traveled and make urban living more affordable," said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "We envision cities where there are more car sharers than car owners. When this happens, millions of urban residents will be contributing to a cleaner environment by making smart transportation choices that benefit them and their communities."