Zipcar is preparing to withdraw from the UK after its US owner decided to wind down operations ahead of the introduction of London’s expanded Congestion Charge, which will apply to electric vehicles for the first time from next year.
The car-sharing company has begun a formal consultation with its UK workforce and has suspended future bookings, a move expected to result in significant job losses. Zipcar will not accept any new reservations beyond 31 December 2025, pending the outcome of the consultation.
In an email sent to customers, James Taylor, Zipcar UK’s general manager, wrote: “I’m writing to let you know that we are proposing to cease the UK operations of Zipcar and have today started formal consultation with our UK employees. We will temporarily suspend bookings, pending the outcome of this consultation.”
The decision follows a difficult year for the company. Zipcar’s UK losses ballooned to £11.7 million in 2024, compared with just £364,000 the year before. Revenue also declined from £51 million to £47 million.
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