Sometimes you just wish things could magically appear when you need them to. Sometimes you wish things were simple, quick, efficient. As simple as pressing a button- or in this day in age, with just a simple touch on a screen and what you need appears. The iPhone is the first thing that pops into our head. It assists and entertains us more than we could have ever imagined. Now how about if it were to bring our transportation to us and even start the car? It's not a far fetched idea and as I most recently read in September's issue of Fortune magazine, the "Best New Idea" has zoomed in.
Zipcar is a shared form of transportation. As they call it, it's the "Netflix for cars." The company has about 325,000 members relying on this shared form of transportation that is not only financially smart but Eco conscious. The average savings per month is about $600 for those that give up their car to join Zipcar and surveys in Europe are saying CO2 emissions are being cut by up to 50% per user. Granted this may be too far fetched for those that prefer owning their own car no matter what, but in a challenging changing world ideas like these are more welcoming than ever especially in an Eco-minded urban lifestyle setting.
Zipcar is a shared form of transportation. As they call it, it's the "Netflix for cars." The company has about 325,000 members relying on this shared form of transportation that is not only financially smart but Eco conscious. The average savings per month is about $600 for those that give up their car to join Zipcar and surveys in Europe are saying CO2 emissions are being cut by up to 50% per user. Granted this may be too far fetched for those that prefer owning their own car no matter what, but in a challenging changing world ideas like these are more welcoming than ever especially in an Eco-minded urban lifestyle setting.
So how does it work?
Fairly simple.
You go online or use the iPhone application to make a reservation and the car's computer system grabs your information. Once with the car you wave the Zipcard to open it or with the iPhone app unlock it and enable it to start. You must be mindful of the rules in using Zipcar though: do not return it with an empty tank, keep the car clean, and announce if you will need a time extension with the car. These plus plenty more maintain the cleanliness and curtious kindness for all the users. You pay hourly or daily depending on location, car and day of the week, plus gas and insurance are attached.
According to Zipcar's CEO, Scott Griffith, car sharing is entering the mass market with the demographic becoming older and more reflective of the national average. Of what began with a younger smaller demographic, it is now gaining so much momentum that a variety of businesses are looking into this form of sharing and evolvement. A basic idea based on early taught manners: sharing. This makes me think twice about jotting down those random ideas throughout the day, who knows when they can sprout to be the next big idea.
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