London's car-sharing scene is in crisis after a devastating 89% decline in the number of vehicles available for rent. The departure of Zipcar from the capital in December 2025 has left a gaping hole, with just 330 car club vehicles now accessible to users – down from the staggering 2,800 that existed before its withdrawal.
The consequences are already being felt, with many former users opting for private car ownership instead. A survey by CoMoUK found that nearly 9% of those polled had already bought or leased a vehicle in response to Zipcar's exit, while a further 55% are actively considering doing so.
Companies like Free2move and Enterprise Car Club have expressed interest in expanding their services in London, but none have yet made concrete plans to significantly boost their fleets. Meanwhile, peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms such as Hiyacar and Turo report increased interest from users – although this depends on private individuals listing their own vehicles.
Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, described the situation as a 'catastrophic result' for the sector. He highlighted that London's extensive public transport network should make it an attractive market for car-sharing, but attributes the struggles to a lack of centralised rules and consistent licensing processes across the capital's 32 boroughs.
Transport for London (TfL) has been criticised for not doing enough to support the sector. Just a decade ago, TfL had ambitions to reach one million car club users by 2025 – but with only 330 vehicles now available, that target looks increasingly unlikely.
The long-term implications for urban mobility, environmental targets, and household budgets in London are far-reaching and worrying. The city's efforts to reduce congestion and carbon emissions could be undermined if private car ownership continues to rise.