The city of Raleigh says it will team up with Zipcar to make two cars available for city residents to rent by the hour or by the day.

Residents can join the car-sharing service for a $25 application fee plus $50 a year. The cars can be reserved at rates as low as $7.50 per hour or $69 per day. The service is available for drivers 21 and older, and for students at N.C. State University and Meredith College.

A Ford Focus and a Toyota Prius will be available, to be located on Glenwood Avenue at Lane Street.

"This will be an important asset for our transit, bicycle and pedestrian commuters," David Eatman, the city transit administrator, said in a news release. "If someone needs to run an errand or attend an appointment, these vehicles are invaluable. They will also be a huge asset for our growing residential community in downtown Raleigh."

Would like to lessen your carbon footprint by ditching your car, but are afraid of not having the transportation when you need it? If you live in downtown Raleigh, this now could be a reality: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, in partnership with Downtown Raleigh, has launched an hourly car rental program for short-term driving needs. Read more about it here.

In other green car-related news, an American auto-maker will offer a hybrid car for the same lower price as its gas-powered counterpart for the very first time. Read more here.

ZipCar and other car-sharing plans have become popular at universities including Duke and UNC, and now a car-sharing program is coming to downtown Raleigh.

Mayor Charles Meeker and members of Raleigh's Downtown Living Advocates will roll out a program Wednesday using a couple of vehicles from WeCar, part of the Enterprise car rental company.

One car will be parked at Glenwood South, the other at the Enterprise office downtown. Members who pay a fee to join will be able to reserve a car and use it for $10 an hour, fuel included.

The event takes place at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, 431 S. McDowell Street, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.