The company will expand its existing fleet of Honda Insight hybrids, as well as introducing the Fit EV (based on the European-market Jazz supermini), Accord Plug-in hybrid and new CR-V at selected locations.

Zipcar was the first car sharing company to introduce electric vehicles in Boston in 2002, followed by hybrids in Seattle in 2003 and recently added the Chevrolet Volt in Chicago. It said the service was ideal for introducing urban-based drivers to new technology, and that Honda vehicles were consistently ranked highly by its members.

Scott Griffith, chairman and chief executive offier of Zipcar, commented: ‘The future of mobility is being shaped by economic forces, evolving technology and global trends, from increased urbanization to concerns about climate change to how the newest generation of drivers thinks about transportation.

‘This win-win partnership with Honda adds to Zipcar's array of smart and sustainable transportation options and by introducing Zipsters to Honda's newest hybrid and electric vehicles we can help increase overall awareness of these exciting new technologies.’