Key facts
- London's car club vehicle numbers have plummeted by 89% since Zipcar's withdrawal.
- The city had only 330 car club vehicles available six months after Zipcar's exit, down from 2,800.
- A significant portion of former Zipcar users are considering or have already purchased private vehicles.
- Expansion plans by other car-sharing companies have not yet materialized into increased vehicle numbers.
- Inconsistent regulations across London's boroughs are a barrier to car club operations.
London's car club market has experienced a drastic decline of 89% since Zipcar, a major operator, ceased its services in late 2025. This withdrawal has left a significant void, with the number of available car club vehicles falling from 2,800 to just 330 six months later. The situation is pushing former users to consider private car ownership, with a survey indicating that 9% have already acquired a vehicle and 55% are contemplating it.
While companies like Free2move, Enterprise Car Club, and Co Wheels have expressed interest in expanding their presence in London, no concrete plans to significantly increase vehicle numbers have been announced. Peer-to-peer platforms Hiyacar and Turo have seen increased interest but rely on private owners listing their cars. Car clubs are known to reduce overall vehicle demand, cut carbon emissions, and save users ownership costs, but some have struggled with profitability.
Richard Dilks, CEO of CoMoUK, described the situation as "catastrophic" for the sector, noting that London, despite its extensive public transport and high percentage of car-less households, has been hampered by a lack of centralized regulations and inconsistent licensing across its boroughs. This contrasts with other shared transport options like dockless e-bikes, which are centrally managed by Transport for London. A decade ago, Transport for London aimed for one million car club users by 2025, a target now seemingly unattainable given the current vehicle numbers.