VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–( EMWNews – April 2, 2008) – This April, Zipcar Vancouver is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a little help from the Government of British Columbia as the Passenger Vehicle Rental Tax (PVRT) exemption went into full effect April 1, 2008. An alternative to car ownership, Zipcar is the responsible choice for Vancouver residents and businesses who want to avoid both the financial and environmental costs associated with car ownership.

This new environmental auto tax exempts car sharing members from paying the $1.50 PST on vehicles rented for eight consecutive hours or less.

“The PVRT exemption is in line with our research that demonstrates Zipcar reduces car ownership and individual vehicle miles traveled (VMT),” says John Macsween, General Manager of Zipcar Vancouver. “The provincial government’s recognition of car sharing demonstrates its commitment to sustainability with smart policies that support innovative solutions.”

On average, each Zipcar member saves more than $500 per month compared to the average costs of owning and operating a car in the city. Each Zipcar member consumes an average of 800 less litres of gasoline per year, and because more than 40% of members report selling a car or changing their decision to buy a vehicle, each Zipcar put on the road replaces 15 privately owned vehicles.

With Zipcar’s technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars online, by phone, or through their favourite web-enabled mobile device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have automated access to Zipcars using a “Zipcard” to simply unlock the door and drive away. With Zipcar, gas and insurance are always included. Canadians never pay a deposit or monthly fees and only need to be 21+ to join.

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing service with more than 180,000 members and 5,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 26 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 25 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. In October 2007, Zipcar announced a merger with Washington D.C. based Flexcar, immediately expanding operations to more than 50 cities, and enabling future growth into new markets across the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information, visit Zipcar.com.