Zipcar has launched its first large-scale electric vehicle program in Chicago.
According to a Wednesday’s announcement from the membership-based car sharing company, five Chevrolet Volts are available as of the announcement and 20 additional electric vehicles will be added by the end of the year.
"We are looking forward to providing our Chicago Zipsters with increased opportunities to reduce their environmental impact and drive some of the most technologically-advanced vehicles on the road as we roll out this EV program over the coming months," said the general manager of Zipcar Chicago, Charles Stephens.
"Freedom has always been a hallmark of the Zipcar experience, and now members can have the best of both worlds the low carbon experience of an electric car with the back-up security of a gas engine as we introduce the new Volts into our fleet this week."
Zipcar has around 673,000 members and 8,900 vehicles, in over 30 models, in North America and the United Kingdom. Annual membership allows drivers to be able to reserve the cars by 30-minute blocks, with one hour minimum, or by daily basis. The company had been active in using green cars among car-sharing companies in the United States, providing the first electric car in Boston in 2002 and the first hybrid car in Seattle in 2003.
Some of the partners in this project included 360Green, which will install EV charging stations, and Zipcar locations such as Chicago Transit Authority, Tishman Speyer, LAZ Parking, and Cityfront Place Apartments.
Zipcar will be holding an introductory event this Saturday, March 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cityfront Place Apartment Zipcar location, located at 400 N. McClurg Ct. in Chicago. At the event, Zipcar members are able to take the new Chevrolet Volt EV for a test ride.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
