Zipcar Inc. has announced a new plan that gives members the option to pay for membership on a monthly basis for its "wheels when you want them" service.

Based on feedback from two test cities, Zipcar is now rolling out the monthly membership option to nearly all U.S. and Canadian Zipcar markets.

"A hallmark of our experience has always been flexibility — from the variety of our vehicles to multiple usage plans designed to fit our members' needs,” said Brian Harrington, Zipcar’s chief marketing officer. “The new monthly membership plan is an extension of this commitment, and a great fit for our members' who are accustomed to paying monthly for other services from mobile phones to gyms. This also lowers the upfront cost to join, making it even easier for new members to get behind the wheel and experience what Zipcar is all about."

According to Zipcar, the new membership plan costs $6 per month (plus the standard $25 application fee for new members). If desired, existing Zipcar members can switch to the monthly plan on their yearly renewal date.

Membership gives access to Zipcar's network of more than 10,000 vehicles, including 30 makes and models ranging from the Honda Insight hybrid to utility vehicles like the Ford Escape and Ford E-150 cargo vans to luxury vehicles such as the BMW 3-Series and Audi Q5, says Zipcar.

For more information, visit www.zipcar.com.