Energy Eden

For years we have saved time and energy by car pooling with friends and family, but who would have thought to share a car with total strangers? Zipcar is a unique, new company that offers a different solution for your traveling needs. You can become a Zipcar member by joining online. Once you receive your Zipcard, you are able to reserve a car either online or over the phone, choosing the time, location and type of car you would like to use. When it’s time to use your reserved car, you can unlock it by scanning your Zipcard with a device in the windshield, and when you’re done, you simply return it to its spot. Car sharing reduces the number of cars on the road, which in turn reduces CO2 emissions. This type of transportation also reduces the amount of driving each person does and can significantly save costs in oil spending. Many Zipcar users are reducing the number of cars in their household. If you use the Zipcar system for day to day travel, a family could get by using only one car for long distance traveling. This will save individual long-term expenses in car ownership and maintenance.When you use a Zipcar, gas and insurance are included. There are different plans depending on whether you wish to use the system only on occasion or on a weekly basis. Hourly rates for the different plans vary from 6.30 to 7. All plans come with 180 free miles.One of the best parts about using Zipcar is the fact that you don’t have to compromise your style and car preferences. You can choose from a range of cars, from convertibles to hybrids to SUVs. This isn’t a system that will work for everyone, and Zipcar currently only operates in select cities, but it is an innovative way to save energy and money when you travel.