Zipcar Inc. has launched its car-sharing service at 23 new colleges and universities this fall — now nearly 350 campuses across the United States and Canada feature Zipcars.

"Zipcar offers universities a double benefit — a convenient service desired by students and one that also offers economic and environmental dividends to the university," said Mark Norman, Zipcar’s president. "With the continued growth of the Zipcar University program, we are helping meet the transportation needs of students and helping colleges and universities reduce parking demand."

In addition to the nine campuses launched in the spring semester, Zipcar has launched new car-sharing programs on several campuses this fall, including Clarion University, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia Southern University, Lewis and Clark College and Texas State University.

This year — thanks to Zipcar's continued alliance with the Ford Motor Co. — the annual membership fee for individuals at participating colleges and universities is $25, and rates on the vehicles start as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day (24 hours), which includes access to more than 30 makes and models of vehicles. The rates include gas, 180 miles of travel per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance, says Zipcar.

For more information, visit www.zipcar.com/universities.