Uber wants to only offer rides in electric vehicles by 2040. As of now, more than 182,000 electric cars can already be booked via the Uber app worldwide, the company announced at the ‘Go Get Zero’ event in London.
Speaking of the British capital, over 30 per cent of all Uber journeys there are already electric.The ‘Uber Green’ option, which allows customers to consciously choose an electric or hybrid car, is already available in over 200 cities worldwide. In the near future, Uber Green will also be expanded to over 40 cities to include a variant that can only be used to book electric vehicles. As mentioned, this option previously also included hybrid vehicles.
Uber also introduced the new ‘electric car preference’ function. It allows passengers to specify in the app that they prefer to book an electric vehicle if one is nearby, allowing them to travel emission-free as often as possible. It is important to remember that the company does not operate its own fleet but invites independent drivers or contract companies to offer rides via the Uber platform – at least most of the time.
Uber is planning EV pop-ups so customers can experience the most innovative electric vehicles in the world. Passengers in London, for example, can then try out rides in the Lotus Eletre and test the new Rivian R1 in LA, Miami, and Dallas.
The company is also planning several measures to make it easier for Uber drivers to switch to electric cars. For example, an EV mentorship programme will connect experienced EV drivers “with drivers who are EV-curious.” In addition, an AI assistant within the driver app will provide drivers with answers to all questions relating to electric vehicles. Moreover, Octopus Energy and BYD will jointly fund 1,000 home chargers for UK drivers, worth almost £1,000 each – along with a special Octopus tariff that offers the cheapest electric vehicle charging package in the UK.
Uber entered into a deal with Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD a few weeks ago to increase the uptake of electric cars on its platform. The aim is to bring 100,000 BYD vehicles onto the Uber platform. At the heart of the collaboration are special conditions for Uber drivers. Drivers who work with Uber receive access to favourable prices and financing options when buying or leasing a BYD electric car.
